USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 29
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Dr. Sandor Horwitz, city physician of Peoria, enjoying also a large private practice in medicine and surgery, was born in Hungary, August II, 1867. He traces his ancestry back to the middle of the seventeenth century. when the first person of his line was a very prominent rabbi in Bohemia. Today his relatives are occupying rabbinical chairs in various communities in Hungary. His father, Moses Horwitz, was a rabbi in the Jewish church in Hungary, and his brother is today chief rabbi of Jerusalem.
Until he was six years old, Dr. Horwitz lived happily with his parents, being trained in the daily exercise of Jewish virtues, and acquiring a love of learning and culture which has never left him. In 1873, a terrible scourge of cholera Asiatica broke out in Hungary and raged there for many months, and among its first victims were Moses Horwitz and his wife, the parents of Dr. Sandor Horwitz. He lost both father and mother in one month, and was left with one brother and two sisters dependent absolutely upon the bounty of relations, who did not have a bountiful enough supply of this world's goods themselves to keep their own families in comfort. So at the early age of six years, Dr. Horwitz's wandering and troublous life began. He was sent about from place to place, unable to find any of his relatives who could take care of him properly. And yet, despite his removal from one town to another, amid constantly changing surroundings, Dr. Horwitz was nevertheless kept in school as much as possible by his relatives who had been trained to appreciate the value and uses of edu- cation. He attended the public and religious schools, and his training was almost entirely along a theological line. His relations were poor, but they managed to keep the boy in school until the age of twelve, by the expedient of giving him board and lodging every day at a different place.
At the age of twelve, Dr. Horwitz was obliged to take his career into his own hands. It was the custom in Hungary, for the citizens of little villages where
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DR. SANDOR HORWITZ
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they had no public schools, to come to the market places in the larger cities, and look for men able to teach their children. Dr. Horwitz entered the higher rab- binical school, in one of the larger cities, and earned his board and tuition, by hiring himself out from the market place. During the first winter season he received for his services the sum of four dollars for the six months' work. By dint of hard work and much saving, however, Dr. Horwitz managed to continue his college course in theology, and at the age of seventeen had the good fortune to be engaged by a prominent family as a private tutor for their children. This time the six months' work earned him forty dollars. With this princely sum in his pocket, and fired by tales of the wonderful wealth to be found in America, the boy concluded to emigrate to the new country. He landed in New York in April, 1885, with three pennies in his pocket, to conquer his destiny.
With true Jewish humble-heartedness, this young boy, descendant of a long line of rabbincal ancestors, educated in the high and uplifting theology of his race, cultured, sensitive, high-minded, realized that the way to success was along the road of hard work, and like all the emigrants of his day, he did the one thing which his hand found to do, and spent the first three months in New York peddling in the streets. He earned enough in that length of time for a ticket farther west, and in July of the same year he landed at St. Louis. Here he still pursued his occupation of peddling, always with the intention of earning enough money to complete his already fine education in the American schools. As soon as he could afford it, he entered the grade work of the St. Louis public schools, and made eight grades in one year. In September, 1888, he passed the exami- nation for the high school and pursued the four years' course in the Central high school of St. Louis and was graduated therefrom on the 29th of January, 1892. During this time, Dr. Horwitz supported himself and paid the expenses of his education, by tutoring in German and Hebrew. Coming from a rabbinical line, and having acquired an excellent theological course in Europe, he sup- plemented this tutoring by serving as rabbi during the Jewish holidays.
During the last year of his high-school course, he definitely determined upon his life work and in 1891 entered the Missouri Medical College, continuing his studies therein along with his senior high-school course. This medical college is now the medical department of the Washington University. His medical course at the Missouri Medical College was interrupted in 1893 by his removal to Richmond, where an opportunity came to him to combine the duties of rabbi with an excellent medical training, thus enabling him to support himself more adequately. However, he returned to St. Louis in 1894. and completed his course, receiving his medical degree in March, 1895.
Valuable experience came to him during three months' connection with the St. Louis City Dispensary as physician. In August, 1895, he came to Peoria after practicing in the interim at St. Louis. Here he opened an office and in connection with general practice makes a specialty of genito-urinary diseases. He pursued a post-graduate course in the Missouri Medical College along that line in 1906 and displays broad skill in his specialty. His professional duties are always discharged with a high sense of conscientious obligation and he is con- tinually reaching out along broadening lines in order that his work may be of greater benefit to humanity.
On May 20. 1897, Dr. Horwitz was married to Miss Bertha Horwitz, a dis- tant relative, and they now have one child. Miriam L., who is attending the Bradley Polytechnic Institute. Fraternally, Dr. Horwitz is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Monroe Street Temple, sometimes acting temporarily as rabbi. In strictly professional lines he is connected with the Peoria Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is now examiner for the Germania Life Insurance Company and the Prudential Insurance Company, and he has held several public offices directly connected
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with the profession. He was police surgeon under Mayor Woodruff's first ad- ministration in 1903 and the same year was assistant county physician. In 1907 Mayor Woodruf appointed him city physician, which office he is still filling. He is now physician in charge of the Emergency Hospital and surgeon for the police department, and is medical examiner for the police and fire departments. The record which he has made is most creditable. His characteristics of deter- mination and energy were strongly manifest in the way in which he mastered the public-school course until his completion of the high-school work and then entered upon preparation for the medical profession. Laudable ambition has actuated him in all of his career and brought him to a prominent place among the physicians of Peoria.
LOUIS F. MEEK.
Louis F. Meek, for almost a quarter of a century a representative of the Peoria bar and admitted to practice in Illinois in 1884, is now accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage and has won many notable successes in the courts. His careful preparation of his cases is one of the elements in his advancement, bringing him to a position which many a lawyer might well envy. He was born in Eureka, Woodford county, Illinois, in June, 1863, and is a son of Basil D. Meek, an attorney at law who was associated with Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll in raising the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, of which he be- came lieutenant colonel. After two years' service he resigned and returned to Illinois, where he resumed the practice of law. He was regarded as one of the distinguished and able members of the bar in his county and figured prom- inently in public life, serving at one time as county judge and on other occasions as county treasurer and as county superintendent of schools. He was thus a recognized leader in professional, educational and political circles and his high standard of manhood and citizenship gained for him the warm regard and honor of his fellowmen. He died in Eureka, April 30, 1909.
In his native town Louis F. Meek was reared and the public schools afforded him his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course of law study in the Northwestern University of Chicago. He was there graduated with the class of 1884 and was admitted to the bar that year. He first engaged in prac- tice in Eureka, where he remained for three years, becoming a partner of his father, which association was maintained until 1888, when he decided to seek the opportunities offered by a larger city and removed to Peoria. Here he opened an office in 1888 in connection with R. J. Cooney, afterward state's attorney of this county, with whom he continued for two years. He later spent two years as assistant state's attorney under John Niehaus and later practiced alone until he was joined by Mr. Ellwood in a partnership that still continues. He is a general practitioner of law, of superior merit and wide reputation. This is a profession in which outside ?id or influence have little avail. The indi- vidual must depend upon his own merit and ability for advancement and Mr. Meek has won his success by reason of the excellent work which he has done in the courts. He is strong and forceful in argument and logical in his deduc- tions and his labors place his name high on the roll of leading attorneys in this city. In 1907 Mr. Meek was away from the state on business and returned to find that he had been nominated by the democratic party for congress in a dis- trict that had never given his republican opponent less than six thousand major- ity. Mr. Meek was defeated by less than three thousand votes but made a clean race and gained many friends in his canvass.
In 1890 Mr. Meek was united in marriage to Miss Ella Perry, of Indiana, and they have three children, Elizabeth, Perry and Louis. They are well known
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socially in this city, where they have continuously resided since their marriage. and the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Meek belongs to the Masonic fraternity and his life conforms to the principles and the purpose of the craft. There have been no spectacular phases in his career, his life being characterized by the continuous devotion to duty that eventually wins success.
CARL JOBST.
What the name of Marshall Field & Company is to the dry-goods trade of America, that of the Jobst-Bethard Company is to the grocery trade of Peoria. This great wholesale house has set the standard for commercial activity in their line in the city and the development of the business is the outcome of the sound judgment, experience and laudable ambition of the men who are at the head. In this connection Carl Jobst, vice president, has been continuously known since the business was taken over by the present company in 1890. It was conducted as a partnership concern for about twelve years and in 1902 was incorporated under the present style. Mr. Jobst is yet in the prime of life and probably has many more years of activity before him. His entire career has been marked by a continuous progress and never has he allowed obstacles and difficulties to bar his path if they could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort.
Peoria names Mr. Jobst as one of her native sons, his birth having here oc- curred September 18, 1860. His parents are Valentine and Susanna ( Schnei- der) Jobst, both of whom are living. For a number of years the father has enjoyed the well earned and well merited reputation of being one of the best and most widely known building contractors of central Illinois, and is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. The son spent his youthful days under the parental roof, without any special advantages or opportunities to aid him when he started out in life. He began to earn his own living at an early age, working as an office boy at the meager salary of a dollar and a half per week, in the em- ploy of the firm of Oakford & Fahnestock, wholesale grocers. He laughingly tells when he drew his first week's salary he ran faster than he ever had before or has since in order to give the money to his mother. For ten years he re- mained with the firm of Oakford & Fahnestock but did not long remain in his original position, for his earnestness and industry enabled him to work his way upward and he served successfully as clerk, assistant bookkeeper and buyer. Then on account of the confinement which was undermining his health he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, spending five years in that way. In 1887 he became a partner in the wholesale house of S. H. Thompson & Com- pany, and in 1800, when Mr. Thompson wished to retire from business, became associated with Douglas H. Bethard and Charles E. Fulks, in the purchase of the business. At the outset there were also two other partners, W. P. Gauss and Herbert Simpson, and at that time the firm style of Gauss, Jobst, Bethard & Company was assumed. The partnership under that style continued for three years, when Mr. Gauss retired, selling his interest to Messrs. Jobst. Beth- ard & Fulks, and in 1902 the interest of Herbert Simpson was purchased. The other three original partners have since retained their connection in the business, which has grown along substantial and gratifying lines. There has been no esoteric phase in the history of the house. Its business methods have always been such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny and its trade has in- creased because of the honorable methods of the firm and the excellent line of goods carried and promptness in delivery. From time to time it has been
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necessary to increase their facilities in order to meet the growing demands of the trade. Almost each year they were compelled to seek additional room until they occupied practically the entire north half of the block on Main street, be- tween Washington and Water streets, and also a three-story warehouse at No. 106 South Washington. Still their quarters were not sufficient to enable them to handle their trade to the best advantage and to meet the exigencies of the case they determined to erect a building which was begun on the Ist of June, 1910, and was ready for occupancy on the Ist of May, 1911. It is a splendid reinforced concrete structure, with brick exterior, the dimensions being one hundred and five by one hundred and sixty-eight feet. The building rises to the height of six stories and also has a basement underneath. The entire floor space is one hundred and fifteen thousand, one hundred and ten square feet, and the equipment of the building is most complete and modern in every way, enabling them to handle their business in the best possible manner. Since the incorporation of the company in 1902 Mr. Jobst has been the vice president, Mr. Bethard the president, and Charles E. Fulks the treasurer, and associated with them as directors are Alexander Furst, George W. Fulks and C. G. Cole. The three men who are the principal factors in the business have always worked together in utmost harmony, the labors of the one ably supplementing and rounding out the labors of the other.
In 1886 Mr. Jobst was united in marriage to Miss Amalia Muller, a daugh- ter of Jacob Muller, of Peoria, and they have one child, Natalie. Fraternally Mr. Jobst is an Elk and also a Mason and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon the truth of the universal brotherhood of man. He is also prominently known to the membership of the Creve Coeur Club and the Peoria Country Club, both of which claim him as a worthy rep- resentative. He also belongs to the Peoria Association of Commerce and co- operates in all its various movements and measures to advance the interests of the city and promote its trade relations. He is a thorough-going, enterprising business man and one who merits and commands the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen.
GUSTAV BREYMEIER.
Gustav Breymeier is a captain of the Peoria police force with which he has been identified since 1902, in which year he became a patrolman. He continued in that position for four years and was then promoted, having served as captain for six years in charge of the night force. His birth occurred in this city, . October 16, 1856, his parents being Barney and Elizabeth Breymeier, who were natives of Germany. They settled in this city, but when their son was two and one-half years old they removed to El Paso, Illinois, where he received his schooling. Starting out for himself he engaged with a farmer named Joe Ellis, for whom he worked in exchange for board and clothing, meanwhile attending school during the winter terms. Thus he spent a year and a half, after which he went to work for Al. Dimery, proprietor of a barber shop. Later he worked for Joe Widman, driving a horse which supplied the power for hoisting brick and mortar used in the construction of a building. After this work was com- pleted he returned to farm labor for which he received twelve dollars per month, his employer being a Mr. Harper. In 1876 he returned to Peoria with his mother, the father having passed away when his son Gustav was but five years of age. Here he entered the employ of Reuben Armfield, for whom he drove an express wagon. He afterward worked for one season in the old Reynolds packing house and later secured a situation in the blacksmith shop of
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William Huppie. He next turned his attention to the tinner's trade which he learned in the establishment of Frank Meyer & Brother, working at that until he joined the police force. For two years he conducted a shop of his own. He first became identified with the police department twenty-five years ago, but severed his connection with the force soon thereafter and worked at the tinners' trade, until in 1902 he again entered the department. No special ad- vantages were his at the outset of his career. He has been diligent and indus- trious and to these qualities he owes whatever success he has achieved.
In 1880 Captain Breymeier was united in marriage to Miss Mary Schuster, a native of Peoria and a daughter of Adam Schuster. Five children were born of this marriage of whom three are vet living: Elizabeth, the eldest, is the wife of William Metzell, of this city, and they have two children. Harold and Claude. Pearl is the wife of John Herget, of Peoria. Gustav William is now a high-school student. The two who passed away were: Theodor Robert, who was the second in order of birth and died at the age of four years; and Hazel, who died when an infant of three months.
Captain Breymeier is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has many warm friends in that organization. He is very popular with the members of the police force and in 1910 they presented him with a handsome solid gold policeman's star set with a large diamond and a ruby. During his identifica- tion with the department the force has been increased in its membership from thirty-six to eighty-six men, a fact which is indicative of the growth of the city. There have also been many improvements made in its equipment and the work of the department is now most carefully systematized and is therefore proving very effective. In the discharge of his duties Captain Breymeier is most earnest and faithful and his record is a commendable one.
C. W. SPANGLER.
C. W. Spangler, who since 1868 has resided on his farm, on section IS, Rosefield township, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 18, 1834. His parents were Mathias and Sarah (Wells) Spangler, who settled in Elmwood township in 1851 on a farm of sixty acres, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In their family beside C. W. Spangler, of this review, were the following children: Eliza, who died at the age of ninety-two; Mrs. Nancy Har- per, who died at the age of seventy-two; Amanda, who died at the age of ninety- one; H. B., who died at the age of seventy-five; Washington, who died at the age of eighteen months; O. P., who died at the age of seventy-two ; Mrs. Phoebe Sloan, who died at the age of seventy-six: Mrs. Minerva Kent, who died at the age of seventy : and one who died in infancy in Ohio.
C. W. Spangler was only seventeen years of age when he removed with his parents to Elmwood township and at the age of thirty-four he purchased his present home. He now owns three hundred and twenty-five acres which are sitt- ated in Rosefield and Elmwood townships and he engages extensively in raising grain and a high grade of live stock. He has seventy-five acres in corn, forty aeres in wheat. thirty acres in oats, sixty acres in timothy, fifteen acres in al- falfa, and one hundred and twenty acres in pasture. He now is the owner of two excellent stallions, one an imported Percheron, weighing two thousand pounds, and the other a standard bred roadster, weighing twelve hundred pounds. He also has forty head of Poland China hogs, fifteen head of cattle and eight- een head of horses.
On the 6th of November. 1862, Mr. Spangler was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Magee, who was a daughter of Deacon John and Maria ( Mus- kimins) Magee. MIr. and Mrs. Spangler have become the parents of two chil-
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dren : one who died in infancy; and Howard, born June 7, 1870. Mr. Spangler cast his first vote for John C. Fremont and till today he is a stanch republican. He takes a great interest in local party work and has served as township super- visor. He has given much time to the cause of education and has been a very efficient member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. Mr. Spangler has now been a resident of Peoria county for over sixty years and has lived on his present farm for more than forty-four years. In that time he has not only been a witness to the general development of the community but has borne his full share in the general reform and progess and he stands in the highest regard of all with whom he is associated.
J. W. MCALISTER.
J. W. McAlister who is engaged in farming, is a native resident of Logan township, born on September 1, 1855. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Enos Mc- Alister who resided on their farm of one hundred acres in Logan township. J. W. McAlister was reared under the parental roof where he remained until he was thirty years of age. When he was twenty-one years old he, together with his father, purchased forty acres of land and later twenty acres more, but sell- ing the same J. W. McAlister bought one hundred and forty acres on section 16 of Logan township four miles from Hanna City where he now resides, and is farming in addition another sixty acres, making in all two hundred acres which he is now cultivating. He engages quite extensively in raising grain, and also live stock, making a specialty of hogs.
On the 25th of December, 1883, Mr. McAlister was united in marriage to Miss Drusilla McAvoy of Timber township, and to them have been born seven children. Clarence E., who remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age is now married to Miss Bertha McMeen and is engaged in farming on a tract of eighty acres in Elmwood township. Ethel Fern, who is the wife of John Gibbons was for two years engaged in teaching. Roy married Blanche Bitner, and is now farming in Elmwood township. Nellie is at home. Grace is de- ceased. Enos and Mary are both at home.
In politics Mr. McAlister gives his allegiance to the democratic party, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives much time and attention to the interests of education and has served as school director. He has ever been active as an agriculturist in promoting the growth of the county, and its material improvement and his well directed labors make him a successful farmer of his native township.
WILLIAM E. PERSONS.
Prominent among the energetic, far-sighted and successful business men of Peoria is William E. Persons, now manager for the Larkin Company of Illinois. He has been connected with the business in Peoria since the company established its branch here on the Ist of April, 1902, and in the ten years of his residence in this city has won recognition as an enterprising business man and progressive, public-spirited citizen. He was born in Bennington, New York, on the Ist of December, 1868, but the greater part of his life has been spent in the middle west, for he was reared in Wisconsin, to which state his parents removed in his child- hood days. His public-school course was supplemented by study in the Univer- sity of Wisconsin at Madison, from which he was graduated on the completion of a four years' course in 1889. He then joined his father who was engaged in the
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