USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 30
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W. E. PERSONS
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lumber business and for ten years continued in that line of trade. This brought him to the period of his connection with the Larkin interests. He came to Peoria as their representative from the home office in Buffalo, New York, following the establishment of their business at this point on the Ist of April, 1902. He was made general manager in Peoria and as such supervised the erection of the large warehouse in this city. Something of the extent of the business at this point is indicated by the fact that there are about three hundred and fifty employes in the Peoria branch. The Larkin company is the largest concern of its kind in the world. They manufacture soap, perfumes, etc., and sell their products through agencies. They give attractive premiums of furniture and many kinds of mer- chandise and the business has had a phenomenal growth. They keep their prod- uct up to a high standard of excellence and their trade now covers every section of this country. The Peoria house controls a large branch of the trade in the middle west and in this connection Mr. Persons displays excellent executive ability.
In 1907 occurred the marriage of Mr. Persons and Miss Katharine Forbes, and unto them has been born a daughter, Eleanore. Mr. Persons is a member of the Masonic fraternity in which he is a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to the Creve Coeur Club and the Ivy Club and is thus well known in the leading social circles of the city. While he has been a resident of Peoria for only a decade he has become widely known here and his substantial qualities of manhood and of character have gained for him an enviable position in the regard of those with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM JACK.
No class of citizens has borne a more conspicuous or influential part in giving to Peoria the prominence which it has enjoyed among the cities of the state, than has its lawyers. These have numbered among them men who have not only won reputations in the practice of their profession at the bar, but who have achieved distinction upon the bench, in the forum and in the councils of the state and nation. Of those belonging to a later period, no name stands more prominent at the present time for actual service at the bar than that of William Jack, of the firm of Jack, Irwin, Jack & Miles. Mr. Jack is a native of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, born January 10, 1844, his parents, Joseph and H. J. (Herron) Jack, both being natives of that state. After a course in the Sewickley Academy in his native state, in 1860, at the age of sixteen, he came to Peoria, where he attended the high school, being graduated therefrom in 1862. He then engaged in the study of law, at first with the late Judge Marion Wil- liamson, and later in the office of Judge Hezekiah M. Wead, upon his admis- sion to the bar becoming a partner of the latter.
In 1873 he was appointed master in chancery for the Peoria county circuit court, serving for several terms. The firm of Wead & Jack having been dis- solved, in January, 1874, Mr. Jack formed a partnership with Judge Lawrence W. James, which was continued until about 1882, when Mr. James having been elected county judge of Peoria county, Nathan G. Moore, now of the firm of Wilson, Moore & McIlvaine, Chicago, was admitted to the firm. Mr. Moore retired about 1885. when Mr. Jack entered into partnership with F. H. Tichenor which continued for many years. The business of late years has been largely in connection with incorporation cases. For more than fifteen years Mr. Jack has been one of the attorneys for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and has also been identified in a similar capacity with several of the banks and other corporations of the city of Peoria. In politics he is an independent (or Vol. II-13
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gold) democrat, but does not aspire to be an active politician, preferring to de- vote his attention to the practice of his profession.
Mr. Jack was united in marriage on August 5, 1869, to Miss Annie Grier, a daughter of John C. Grier, a prominent grain and commission merchant of Peoria, and has four children-two sons and two daughters. The older son, Robert P., is now a practicing attorney of Peoria. The other children are Sarah G., William J. and Elizabeth. Mrs. Jack is a sister of the late General David P. Grier, who won a high reputation as a soldier and an officer during the Civil war. Mr. Jack is a member of the Second Presbyterian church and is, in the language of the Bench and Bar of Illinois, a valued citizen of the community who gives his support to all beneficial measures, and lends the in- fluence of his opposition to all movements detrimental to the public good."
P. A. KRATZER.
P. A. Kratzer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Rosefield town- ship, has resided on his present farm since 1866. At that date he purchased sixty-three acres of land and later, at different times, added adjoining tracts of forty acres, seven acres, eleven acres, forty acres and eighty-two acres, making in all two hundred and fifty-three acres that he now owns. He makes a specialty of raising grain and live stock. He has fifty acres in corn, forty acres in wheat, thirty acres in oats, seventeen acres in timothy, twelve acres in clover, and one hundred and forty acres in pasture land. He owns one registered imported Percheron stallion, weighing two thousand pounds, and has one hundred Duroc Jersey hogs, thirty head of cattle and twelve head of horses.
In 1889 Mr. Kratzer was united in marriage with Miss Katie Streider and they have become the parents of five children: Louis C., who is engaged in farming in Rosefield township; Lizzie, who died in November, 1907, at the age of seventeen years; and Philip, Walter and Ethel, all of whom are at home and are seventeen, fifteen and thirteen years respectively. In politics Mr. Kratzer votes the republican ticket and he has served as road commissioner. . He is greatly interested in the cause of education and has given efficient service as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Both in raising grain and live stock Mr. Kratzer has had excellent success and he is now considered one of the substantial farmers of his township. He is thrifty and industrious and shows the most admirable traits of character in both busi- ness and social relations and, therefore, has the highest regard of all who know him.
CHARLES V. MILES.
Charles V. Miles, attorney at law, is practicing as a member of the firm of Jack, Irwin, Jack & Miles, and has been an active member of the Peoria bar since 1901. Nine years before he had been admitted to practice at Omaha, Nebraska, and since entering upon his professional career has made steady advancement by reason of his close study and strong purpose. He was born in Jerseyville, Illinois, April 12, 1868, and is a son of George S. and Martha (De Wolf) Miles, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a dentist, largely devoting his life to the practice of that profession. The son spent his youthful days in his native town and at the usual age entered the public schools, wherein he pursued his work through consecutive grades until graduated from the high
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school with the class of 1886. He then entered newspaper work, devoting his energies thereto for two years. In 1888 he became a student in the University of Michigan, pursuing an academic course and in 1891 was graduated from the law department. He next went to Omaha, Nebraska, and was admitted to prac- tice at the bar of that state and remained here until 1901, when he returned to Illinois and opened an office in Peoria, joining Joseph V. Graff, under the firm name of Graff & Miles. That association was maintained for five years, at the end of which time Mr. Miles withdrew and entered the present firm of Jack, Irwin, Jack & Miles. This is one of the strongest and most capable law firms of the city and the litigation entrusted to them is of a most important character. Their clientage, too, is very extensive and makes constant demand upon the time and energies of the different members of the firm. Recognizing the fact that careful preparation is one of the most potent elements in success in the courts, Mr. Miles has never failed to thoroughly acquaint himself with his case and careful analysis has enabled him to readily determine the law applicable thereto.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Miles and Miss Josephine Danforth, of Washington, Illinois, and unto them have been born two children : Catherine, who died in 1906 at the age of six; and Warren. Mr. Miles is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has advanced to the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Creve Coeur and to the Country Clubs and in all these different organizations is well known, having a circle of friends which attests his personal worth and his fidelity to high and manly principles.
GEORGE J. JOCHEM.
For ten years George J. Jochem has been a practitioner at the bar of Peoria, entering upon the work of the profession here immediately after being admitted to practice by the supreme court. He is one of the city's younger lawyers, yet the measure of success he has attained and the kind of work he handles identify him rather with the old and tried practitioners. He was born in Peoria, Octo- ber 14, 1876, and is a son of George J. and Rosina (Off) Jochem. His father was connected with the brewing interests of Pekin, Illinois, in the latter '6os and early 'zos, and died in 1877. His mother, however, still survives.
Mr. Jochem acquired his education from the public-school system, complet- ing a four years' select course in the Peoria high school. He then entered the University of Michigan for the study of law, and was graduated therefrom in June, 1902, having pursued the regular course. In the fall of the same year he was admitted to practice, opened an office in Peoria, and entered upon what has proved a most successful professional career. He now occupies a suite of rooms in the Woolner building and his clientage, already large, is steadily growing. The class of work he handles is eminently satisfactory, not only because it has brought him good returns, but because it is of the substantial kind of which the handling is a guarantee of good citizenship and progress. His fidelity to a high standard of professional ethics and his adherence to straightforward business methods and manly ideals has gained for him the warm regard and good will of the legal fraternity and business men in general, in this city. Although he attends to the general practice of law, he has devoted a great amount of time to the study of corporation law, and handles a considerable amount of that sort of work.
George Jochem is well known in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite in Peoria consistory while with the Nobles of Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine, he has also crossed the sands of the
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desert. He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, and actively interested in various legal organizations. He is widely known in Peoria, and his admirable, enduring traits of character have won him the regard and friendship of those with whom he has been associated.
ALMON VIETS WHITNEY.
The sudden death of Almon V. Whitney on the 29th of October, 1911, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret in Peoria. He was at the time fill- ing the office of justice of the peace to which he was elected by a larger vote than given to any candidate of the party except Mayor Woodruff. Those who knew him-and his acquaintance was wide-found him a genial whole-souled man, "fair and square" in his dealings and popular alike with young and old, rich and poor. He was born in Geauga county, Ohio, May 25, 1842. His father, the Rev. Jonathan Ransaker Whitney, was a native of Massachusetts and be- came a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He, his father and his wife's father were the first three settlers in Montville township, Geauga county, Ohio. The district there was an unbroken forest, the trees standing in their primeval strength. The greenwoods were the haunt of many wolves and pan- thers and there was little indication that the work of civilization had been begun in all the surrounding district. Jonathan R. Whitney wedded Miss Mary Moore, also a native of Massachusetts. She died when her son Almon was but two months old, the father, however, surviving until he had reached the age of eighty-five years. Almon Whitney was the youngest of twelve children, there being nineteen years' difference in age between himself and his oldest brother, S. E. Whitney, who is now living in Portland, Michigan.
Almon V. Whitney pursued his early education in the district schools and afterward attended the Burton (Ohio) Academy, from which he was graduated when he was twenty-three years of age. He engaged in teaching in the rural schools of his native state, and while following that profession was married on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth, to Miss Clara E. Coe, of Cleve- land, Ohio, who was a teacher in the public schools of that state. They became the parents of three children, but their first born, a daughter, Blanche Maude, died when but three years of age. Ernest died in New York in 1898, only three months after his marriage. The living son, Ray A., is an efficient representative of the firm of Bartholomew & Company at Peoria, Illinois.
Following his marriage A. V. Whitney continued to engage in teaching in Ohio for several years and then came to Illinois, accepting the position of principal of the public schools at Sheridan, LaSalle county, where he continued for three years. He then purchased a newspaper, the Sheridan News Letter, which he conducted for three years and then sold. At the expiration of that period he went to Burlington, Iowa, and became a local reporter on the Bur- lington Hawkeye. Subsequently he removed to Canton, Illinois, purchased an interest in the Canton Republican, which he edited for two years. He came to Peoria in 1885 to accept a position on the old Peoria Morning Transcript, then published by Alexander G. Stone at Adams and Fulton streets. When three years had passed he was made milk inspector for the city and continued in that position for several years during which time he revolutionized the milk business. He determined that the milk supply should be sanitary and placed the public on its guard against conditions detrimental to the end in view. He was known as the "father of pure milk" in this city. He would not take the word of venders of milk but obtained samples from their wagons and made careful analyses of the milk. His valuable service in that connection led to his selection for still other political duties and honors. In 1905 he was chosen
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justice of the peace and was reelected in 1909 by a very flattering majority, his vote exceeding that of any candidate of the party save Mayor Woodruff. Be- fore coming to Peoria Mr. Whitney had been admitted to the bar, his diploma, issued in LaSalle county, bearing date of July 21, 1871.
He was for thirty years a valued member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and held all the offices in Peoria Lodge, No. 15, being secretary and recorder at the time of his death. He was a high degree Mason, holding mem- bership in Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., Peoria consistory and Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His recreation largely came to him through driving horses. He had great love for the noble steed, owning his first horse when eighteen years of age, and always keeping one or more from that time forward. He had just such qualities as drew men to him and won for him their high regard and confidence. They greatly appreciated his many sterling traits, his unfeigned cordiality, his genial disposition and his wholehearted interest in others. His death, therefore, brought a sense of personal bereavement to many outside of his immediate family, and many years will pass ere his memory ceases to be cherished by those who were in any way associated with him.
CHARLES JOHNSON.
Mastering the lessons of life day by day until his post-graduate work in the school of experience has placed him with the men of ability and enterprise in the business circles of Peoria, Charles Johnson now figures prominently as president of the Johnson Hardware Company, and has conducted business since March, 1885, at 2023 South Adams street. The mammoth enterprise of the present day had but a small beginning but it has gradually developed and im- proved until it now stands foremost among the most enterprising concerns of this character in the city.
Mr. Johnson was born in Peoria, January 1, 1862, a son of John H. John- son, a native of northern Germany who, in 1852, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and came to Peoria. Here he followed the blacksmith's trade which he had previously learned in his native land, continuing in that line of activity until 1867. He then removed to Farmington, Illinois, where he conducted a shop until 1886 in which year he returned to Peoria where he lived retired in the en- joyment of a well earned rest until the time of his death in 1800. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary C. Reiker, was also a native of Germany, and of their marriage eleven children were born, eight of whom are still living: George, Charles, Peter A., John, William, Mrs. Alma Spindler, Mary Johnson and Mrs. T. England. Of this family Peter A. Johnson is now city treasurer of Peoria, and is mentioned on another page of this work.
The boyhood and youth of Charles Johnson were divided between Peoria, Elmwood and Farmington, as his parents resided in the different places. How- ever, he returned to Peoria when a lad of thirteen years and soon afterward started out to earn his own livelihood, securing a position in the employ of the Meyer Hardware Company where he remained for several years, his long con- nection therewith enabling him to not only thoroughly learn the hardware busi- ness but also prove his fidelity, capability and trustworthiness. He was ambi- tious to engage in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to purchase a small stock of hardware. This he offered for sale at 2023 South Adams street in March, 1885, and from that small beginning he has developed one of the largest hardware trades in central Illinois. In 1888 he purchased the site whereon he was conducting his business and erected there a substantial two-story brick building, both floors of which are occupied with an extensive stock of shelf and heavy hardware. A good
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addition has been erected in the rear across the alley and in this is conducted the tin, sheet metal and cornice department of the business. In 1891 the Charles Johnson Hardware Company was incorporated with Charles Johnson as pres- ident, Peter A. Johnson, vice president, and a third brother, William Johnson, secretary and treasurer. The three still remain actively interested in the business and they contract for all kinds of tin and sheet metal work such as roofing, spouting and cornice work. Their trade is conducted along wholesale and retail lines, and the volume of their business has grown annually so their yearly sales have reached a gratifying figure.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1889 to Miss Anna Tjarks of Peoria, and they have five children, Anna, Carl. Lucile, Ruth and Cecilia. The life history of Charles Johnson is that of a self-made man. When determination, persever- ance and capability are arrayed against drawbacks, poverty and trials, the result is almost absolutely certain; the former qualities are invincible, they know no defeat, and such have been the elements which have constituted the chief features in the success or him whose name introduces this review.
COLONEL ISAAC TAYLOR.
Peoria county numbered Colonel Isaac Taylor as a valued citizen. His life was one of usefulness. He served for many years in public office, filling the position of county treasurer for eleven years, and he rendered his country val- uable aid as a soldier of the Civil war. His life record in every phase com- mended him to the confidence and respect of those with whom he came in contact. He was born April 22, 1836, in Saratoga, New York, and his parents, Isaac Put- nam and Martha G. (Scidmore) Taylor, were also natives of that place, whence they removed to Illinois in 1837, settling in Canton, Fulton county. After two years they became residents of Trivoli township, Peoria county, where the father devoted his attention to farming, and Colonel Taylor was, therefore, reared to agricultural life, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and har- vesting throughout the period of his youth. His early education was acquired in the district schools and he afterward spent a year in Jonesville Academy, Ballston Springs, in Saratoga county. New York. He then returned to this state and devoted four years to the study of law under the direction of Henry Grove and two years under Elbridge G. Johnson, of Peoria. While engaged in studying law he taught school. Ill health, however, prevented him from securing admis- sion to the bar at that time, and in the hope of finding benefit in a change of climate he removed to Minnesota and at St. Paul was admitted to the bar. Almost immediately his health improved so that by the 8th of October, 1861, he was able for military duty and his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment for service in the Civil war. At Fort Snelling he enrolled as a member of Company H, Third Regiment of Minnesota Infantry, of which he became second lieutenant, while subsequently he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and afterward to that of captain. He served until the fall of 1864 under his first term of enlistment and then veteranized, continuing with the same regiment until April 27. 1865, when he resigned. His was a brilliant military record. characterized by marked bravery in times of intense danger. At the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in July, 1862, the Third Minnesota Infantry was cap- tured by the rebel forces under General Forest, but Colonel Taylor with a com- rade escaped and later was placed in command of a convalescent camp at Nash- ville, where he was located during the siege of that city. At length his regiment was paroled and transferred to Minnesota, where it was engaged for a time in fighting the Indians. Lieutenant Taylor, however, remained on duty in Ten- nessee until the exchange of his regiment was effected, at which time he rejoined
العبا سية
COL. ISAAC TAYLOR
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his old command at Columbus, Kentucky. With his comrades he participated in the advance on Vicksburg in 1863 with the Sixteenth Army Corps under command of General C. C. Washburn and after taking part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, for three months the Third Minnesota was engaged in military operations in Arkansas, including the capture of Little Rock and its reconstruction and the movements at Pine Bluff, Jackson and Devall Bluff. In the meantime the regiment was assigned to duty with the Seventh Army Corps and Captain Taylor, who had been promoted to the rank of captain on the 15th of April, 1863, was assigned to duty with General Shaler commanding the division, to serve as judge advocate in the general court-martial at Pine Bluff, having charge of many important cases during the remainder of his term of service. Ilis entire military record whether on the firing line or in court-martial service was most commendable and he deserved all the honor and credit that was given to the brave boys in blue who defended the Union during the darkest hour in the country's history.
In April, 1865, Colonel Taylor rejoined his family at Trivoli and soon after- ward went again to Minnesota but remained only for a short time. His health did not improve there and he returned to Trivoli, where he continued until 1871. In that year he took up his abode in Peoria and through much of the remainder of his life he was active in public service, in which connection he made a splendid record. In 1869 he received appointment to the position of assistant assessor of internal revenue for Peoria county but in 1870 he was elected county treasurer and retired from the former position to accept the latter, in which he continued for eleven years. No higher testimonial of his faithfulness and capability could be given than his long retention in the position. Through appointment of Governor Oglesby he was canal commissioner from 1885 until 1889 and in 1893 he was made commissioner of public works in Peoria by Mayor Miles, continuing in the position for two years. He was also named as presi- dent of the special commission to inspect the Chicago drainage canal, his ap- pointment coming to him from Governor Tanner, in May, 1899, while his in- cumbency in office continued until June, 1900. His associates on this commission were Colonel John Lambert of Joliet, and Colonel Al. F. Schoch, of Ottawa. He was splendidly qualified for the position by previous experience and broad knowledge of the state, having for fifteen years been chairman of the Illinois Valley Association, which was organized in 1887 for the purpose of securing legislation from the general government for the creation of a deep waterway
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