USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 32
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H. M. KILPATRICK.
H. M. Kilpatrick, a resident of Elmwood, is well known in Peoria county as a director of funeral services and as an efficient undertaker. He was born in LaFayette, Indiana, September 21, 1865, his parents being Robert and Anna ( Kleinhaus) Kilpatrick, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of Ger- many. The mother was brought to America at the age of two years by her parents, who located at LaFayette, Indiana. Robert Kilpatrick was reared in Illinois and later removed to LaFayette where he was married. He was a tin- ner by trade and in about 1869 went to Clinton, Illinois, where he followed his trade until 1874, when he came to Elmwood. Later he went west but returned to Illinois, settling at Danville, in which state he passed away. His wife is still living there. Their only child is the subject of this sketch.
H. M. Kilpatrick was educated in the public schools of Elmwood and at the age of fourteen started out in life for himself. For the first two years he was employed in a grocery store and in 1882 he began to work for J. F. Caverly, in the furniture and undertaking business, which was operated under the firm name of the Caverly Brothers. In July, 1888, the firm name was changed to Caverly & Kilpatrick and in October, 1894, Mr. Kilpatrick, of this review, became the sole proprietor of the same and has continued thus ever since. He carries a large and excellent stock in his furniture department and his undertaking estab- lishment is well equipped and conducted.
On December 5, 1889, Mr. Kilpatrick was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Heptonstall, who was born in Peoria county, a daughter of John H. and Margaret Heptonstall, who were early settlers here. The father was a na- tive of England and came to America when a small boy. He died in this county, but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kilpatrick have become parents of four children: Ralph Sidney, born 1893; Edwin Richard, born 1895; John Robert, born 1898; and Margaret Anna, born 1903.
Mr. Kilpatrick has ever led an active and useful life, and has been engaged with many of the important organizations of his county. He belongs to the Elmwood Homestead & Loan Association and has been secretary of the same since 1906. He is a member of the Illinois State Undertakers Association, hav- ing served as secretary since June, 1906 and since 1908 has been secretary of the National Funeral Directors Association. A review of his excellent work as a funeral director has been written by many of the magazines, including the Embalmer's Monthly. Mr. Kilpatrick, being an energetic man, keeps no sten- ographers, but does all the work of his various offices alone. Fraternally he is
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identified with the Arcanns Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has ever taken an active interest in the schools of his town, and is now serving as a member of the board of education. He finds time in his unusually busy life to give much attention to social and recreative interests. He is the leader and manager of the American band of Elmwood. He is an enthusiast and motorist and is fond of out door life. Well known in the county where he has resided from early boyhood days, he has won the uniform trust and good will of all by reason of his pleasant and attractive personality, and all his life he has been straightforward and honorable.
ARTHUR MELVIN OTMAN.
Arthur Melvin Otman, probate judge of Peoria county since 1910, was born in Wyoming, Illinois, October 3, 1868. His grandfather, David Otman, was a resident of Stockbridge, New York, and a son of Nicholas Otman, two of whose brothers were soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Sylvester F. Otman, father of A. M. Otman, was a native of New York and came to Illinois in 1849. Fol- lowing the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted in 1861 and served for four years as captain of Company E, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He married Sarah Smith, a daughter of Harrison Smith, who removed westward from North Bridgewater, Massachu- setts, and settled in Peoria about 1850. He was one of the old-time residents here and filled the office of justice of the peace at an early day. In early woman- hood his daughter, Sarah, engaged in teaching school in the building now used as a teachers' club at Jefferson and Jackson streets.
Arthur M. Otman pursued his education in the graded and high schools at Wyoming and in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, although he was not grad- uated there. Subsequently he entered the law department of the State Univer- sity of Iowa at Iowa City, where he won the degree of LL. B. on his graduation with the class of 1890. Removing to Peoria he opened a law office immediately after his graduation and his admission to the bar. He has been continuously con- nected with the profession and his comprehensive understanding of legal princi- ples, combined with his devotion to his clients' interests, secures him a large share of the business of the courts. He was deputy circuit clerk of Peoria county from 1900 until 1904, when he was made first assistant state's attorney, which position he filled until 1906. He was a member of the law firm of Quinn, Quinn & Otman until 1908, when he was appointed first assistant state's attorney and so continued until 1910, when he was elected probate judge, which office he is now acceptably filling. His comprehensive understanding of the general principles of jurisprudence qualifies him for the capable discharge of his duties in this connection and his course is winning him high commendation as the occupant of the probate bench.
On the 24th of November, 1887, in Wyoming, Illinois, Mr. Otman was mar- ried to Miss Florence Simmons, a daughter of Amor Simmons, who was a hard- ware merchant of Wyoming and a veteran of the Civil war. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Otman is Alice May, now a teacher of English literature in the Peoria Manual Training high school. Mr. Otman has always been a republi- can in his political views, supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Maccabees tent. In Masonry he has attained high rank and has been frequently honored with office. In 1910 he was master of Temple Lodge, No. 46. F. & A. M .; in 1898 was high priest of Peoria Chapter, R. A. M .; in 1899 was commander of the Knights Templar Commandery ; in 1900 was poten- tate of. the Mystic Shrine; and in 1904 became commander-in-chief of the
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Scottish Rite at Peoria. The same year he was elected to the supreme council, thirty-third degree of the Scottish Rite. Still higher Masonic honors came to him in his election as grand commander of the grand commandery of Knights Templar of Illinois. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Creve Coeur and Ivy Clubs, in both of which he has many friends. His ability in his profession has won him constant advancement and his qualities of leadership are furthermore indicated in the offices to which he has been called in his fraternal connections.
W. W. RHOADES.
W. W. Rhoades, serving for the second term as chief of police of Peoria, has in the discharge of his official duties instituted various reforms and modern im- provements which have largely promoted the efficiency of the service. As a public officer his course has won wide indorsement from law-abiding citizens, the consensus of public opinion regarding his record being altogether favorable.
Mr. Rhoades is one of the residents that Pennsylvania has furnished to Peoria, his birth having occurred in Phoenixville of the former state on the 29th of March, 1867. His father, William F. Rhoades, was descended from English and German ancestry but the family has been so long represented on this side of the Atlantic that it has become thoroughly American in thought, spirit and purpose. William F. Rhoades was engaged in the hotel business throughout his entire life. He wedded Mary Morgan, also a native of Pennsylvania, and unto them were born seven children, of whom six are yet living, four sons and two daughters. The parents were residents of Chester county, Pennsylvania, until called to their final home.
In the schools of his native city W. W. Rhoades pursued his education and was twenty-three years of age when, in 1890, he came to Peoria. He was a potter by trade and for ten years followed that pursuit in this city, on the expiration of which period he engaged with the Acme Harvester Company, which he repre- sented here for two years. He entered into his connection with the police depart- ment without any previous knowledge of or experience in work along this line but the natural resourcefulness of the man, his determination to "make good," and his fidelity to the obligations devolving upon him have made him an officer whose record is above reproach. He was called to the office of chief of police in May, 1903, as the successor of Mr. Kennedy. and remained at the head of the department for two years. He then retired at the change of administration and became connected with the sheriff's office as deputy, so continuing until May, 1909. At that date he was again called to the office of chief of police, which position he has since filled. He has bent his energies to the improvement of the department in many ways, has installed a new flash light system, motor driven vehicles have taken the place of the old patrol wagons and the civil service plan has been adopted. He has given special attention to the personality of the men on the force, endeavoring to install as patrolmen such men as will make duty paramount to all else. He has likewise increased and perfected the detective department and his work on the whole has won him high commendation and encomiums.
In 1892, in Peoria, Mr. Rhoades was united in marriage to Miss Emma Heitz- man, a daughter of Albert Heitzman, who was at one time a tailor of Peoria but is now deceased. Three children have been born of this marriage: Inez and Ethel, twins; and Marjorie. In his fraternal relations Mr. Rhoades is a promi- nent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen Camp, the Maccabees Tent and the Royal Arcanum Lodge, and finds in their beneficent teachings the high principles and
W. W. RHOADES
THE NE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ABTO1 -NOX AND TILDEN PORNDATEN.
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rules which govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles as effective forces in good government, yet he ever places patriotism before partisanship and the general welfare before individual aggrandizement.
CHARLES D. THOMAS, M. D.
Dr. Charles D. Thomas, oculist and aurist, with office in the Hamlin build- ing, has practiced his profession in Peoria since 1897. Ile was previously a gen- eral practitioner in Lacon, Illinois, for nine years. His work has brought him a measure of success that could only be obtained through ability, for he is devoting his life to a profession wherein advancement is won only through the possession of marked skill and wide knowledge. He was born in Washburn, Woodford county, Illinois, November 17, 1863, and is a son of Dr. D. Erastus and Minerva Jane ( Barnes) Thomas. The Barnes family was founded in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1832, when Captain Robert Barnes removed westward from Indian River, Delaware. With one exception this was the first family to establish a home in that county. Dr. D. Erastus Thomas was a native of Jacksonville, Indiana, and in early manhood he prepared for a professional career, practicing medicine from 1852 until his death, which occurred in 1903. Most of that period was spent in the town of Lacon although in 1852 he opened an office at Spring Bay, Illinois, where he practiced in connection with Dr. Burns. The office, how- ever, was destroyed by fire there in 1853 and he then removed to Washburn, Illi- nois, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he established his home in Lacon. His life was a most serviceable one, proving of great worth in the world, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He died very suddenly of heart disease while at the home of his son, R. H. Thomas, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he was then visiting. His wife passed away six months later, dying in August of the same year.
Dr. Charles D. Thomas spent his youthful days in Lacon, to which place his parents removed when he was but three months old. He there attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until the final year in the high school. On putting aside his text-books he began work in his father's drug store, where he remained for two years, but feeling the need of further educational opportunities he then entered Buchtel College of Akron, Ohio, where he spent the succeeding two years in study. He next became a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus, which he also attended two years in the mastery of an elective course. He began preparation for the medical profession in Rush Medical College of Chicago and was graduated in 1888. The same year he en- tered upon active practice in connection with his father at Lacon, where he con- tinued until 1892, when he went abroad for further study, spending one year in Vienna, Austria, where he gave special attention to diseases of the eye, ear. nose and throat. He thus thoroughly acquainted himself with the most advanced and scientific methods as practiced by the leading specialists of the old world, and with a comprehensive knowledge along that line he returned to Lacon. In 1896 he again went to Europe and spent a part of that and the following year in Vienna, pursuing his studies and investigations in the general hospital of that city and in the Polyclinic at Vienna, specializing all the time on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He acted as second assistant in the hospital under Pro- fessor Adam Politzer, whose practice was confined to diseases of the ear and he also became second assistant to Professor Hajek, who concentrated his attention upon diseases of the nose and throat. This was a high honor conferred upon an American and it gave him special advantages, qualifying him in notable meas- ure for the work to which he now devotes his time and energies.
Vol. II-14
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In August, 1897, Dr. Thomas removed to Peoria, where he has since prac- ticed, specializing as an oculist and aurist. He is now serving in that capacity on the staff of the Proctor Hospital and in addition he has a very extensive private practice. He is continually adding to his knowledge through reading and re- search and keeps in close touch with the most advanced work of the profession. He is now oculist and aurist for the Rock Island Railroad Company and is a member of the National Association of Pension Examiners, acting as expert examiner for this district.
Dr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Cecilia Geraldine Kendricken, of Boston, Massachusetts, with whom he became acquainted while studying in Vienna, where Mrs. Thomas was then studying music. Unto them were born three children, two of whom are now living, Paul K. and Charles D., Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas are prominent socially in the city, having an extensive circle of warm friends. The Doctor belongs to the Phi Delta Theta, a college fraternity, and is connected with the leading medical societies, belonging to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the North Central Illinois Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Oto-Laryngological As- sociation and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is one of three members on the board of censors for the Peoria City Medical Society and he is serving as a member of the board of trustees in the Bradley Polytechnic Insti- tute at Peoria. He is interested in all the vital and prominent questions relating to the welfare and progress of his city and the country at large and yet has no time for active participation in public affairs, owing to the increasing demands which are being made upon his professional skill and ability. His broad study, his natural talent, inherited from a father and grandfather who were physi- cians, and his acquired ability have gained him a preeminent position as one of the foremost oculists and aurists of the state.
HARRY SCHENCK.
Harry Schenck, who is well known in the business world in Elmwood from his connection with the banking firm of Clinch, Schenck & Lott, was born in Peoria county, October 28, 1872. His parents were Henry and Susan (Selby) Snyder Schenck, both of whom were natives of Butler county, Ohio. The father was born December 23, 1838, and grew to manhood in his native county. He was married there to a Miss Kemp, who died one year later. Subsequently the father and James Foster came to Peoria county, driving with a team and wagon from Butler county, Ohio. They located in Elmwood township and in 1864 Mr. Schenck purchased two hundred acres of land there. He then re- turned to Ohio, where he was married to Susan (Selby) Snyder, who was then a widow, and subsequently they resided on his farm in Elmwood township. In 1888 he purchased an interest in the bank of Clinch & Lott and the firm name was changed to Clinch, Schenck & Lott, and he held this interest until the time of his death. In 1904 he retired from active work and moved to Elmwood, where he resided until his death, in 1905. In his family were two children : Harry, of this review ; and a daughter, who is now Mrs. Edna E. Cone, of Peoria.
Harry Schenck received his early education in the public schools of Elm- wood and later completed a course in a business college. In 1891 he began working in the bank in which his father had an interest and in 1905, at the time of his father's death, he became one of the partners in the firm of Clinch, Schenck & Lott.
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On the 7th of October, 1896, Mr. Schenck was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Welles, who was born in Elmwood, February 29, 1876, a daughter of W. T. and Laura A. Welles, both of whom were natives of Peoria county. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck have become the parents of six children: Margery, Richard, Earl, William, Dorothy and Ruth. The last named died at the age of three years. In politics Mr. Schenck is a democrat and, being interested in local party issnes, he has filled the office of city treasurer. He also gives much time to the cause of education and has served as school treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is very fond of hunting and fishing, revelling in these sports several times a year, and is noted for his skill along these lines. He is a shrewd. conscientious business man and has many friends in the business world; also he is popular socially in the city where his entire life has been passed and where many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood.
ELBERT H. ZARLEY.
Elbert H. Zarley is the president of the Brown Printing Company, which has its plant at No. 201 South Washington street. His identification with this en- terprise covers about sixteen years. He was but a boy when he entered the employ of the company and in the intervening period to the present time he has gradually worked his way upward, his ability and energy winning him advance- ment until he is now the chief executive officer in one of the leading business concerns of the city. He came to Peoria when a youth, his birth having oc- curred in Oakland, Coles county, Illinois, October 27, 1876, his father being Abram Zarley. He spent his boyhood in his native town and at the usual age entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. When he put aside his text-books he began learning the printing business, with which he is acquainted in all of its branches. He has been a resident of Peoria for about seventeen years and with the exception of one year the entire period has been spent in connection with the Brown Print- ing Company, which is the successor of the Brown-Williams Printing Company that took over the business of Frank Brown, who opened a printing establish- ment on South Adams street about 1890. Mr. Zarley had not been long in the employ of the company before he proved his worth and capability and his in- dustry, energy and fidelity won him promotion from time to time. Eventually he was elected one of the officers of the company and for five years served as its secretary. In June, 1911, upon the reorganization of the business, he was chosen to the presidency and is, therefore, bending his energies to administrative direction and executive control. The company conducts a general printing and embossing business and employs about thirty people. They turn out work of the highest excellence and of the most artistic design, embracing all that is best in the "art preservative of arts." Their patronage is now extensive, for the excellent work done commends them to the public. They make a specialty of color printing and in addition they manufacture blank books, rubber stamps, seals and stencils in addition to conducting a general printing and bookbinding business. Their plant is thoroughly equipped in every department and in the excellence of their work is found the secret of their success.
In Peoria, in 1900, Mr. Zarley was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Brown, of this city, and they now have one son, Brown Zarley. Mr. Zarley is well known as a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and he holds membership with the Knights
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of Pythias. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, which in- culcates and develops all that is best in manhood and in citizenship. In his business career his steady progress has followed the manifestation of his ability, which has been developed through close application, perseverance and unremit- ting energy. His course proves, too, that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously and that the rewards of persistent and intelligently directed labor are sure and certain.
GEORGE W. HAMMERBACHER.
George W. Hammerbacher, a resident of Oak Hill, who is successfully en- gaged in the carpentering business, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, August 10, 1850. His parents were Ludwig and Mary E. Hammerbacher, who came from Germany in 1847 and located in Ohio. In 1854 they removed to Illinois, settling in Rosefield township, where they passed the remainder of their days. In their family were six children, of whom George W. was the third in order of birth.
George W. Hammerbacher was reared and educated in Rosefield township and remained at home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. He then began working as a farm hand, an employment which he followed for six years. In 1874 he took up the trade of carpentry and has since worked at it continuously. He has been very successful in his work and he now owns the old homestead of seventy-seven acres, which is situated one mile north of Oak Hill.
" On the 18th of February, 1870, Mr. Hammerbacher was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Dawson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronemus Dawson. In politics Mr. Hammerbacher gives his support to the republican party and so- cially he is identified with Horeb Lodge, No. 363, A. F. & A. M., at Elmwood. He is a stanch supporter of the interests of education and has been a school director for eighteen years and is now serving as school treasurer. He is well known throughout his community and in all matters relating to the welfare of the township he is public-spirited and his cooperation can be counted upon to further all public progress.
LESLIE RUTHERFORD, M. D.
In eleven years of active practice since his graduation from Rush Medical College, Dr. Leslie Rutherford has made continuous progress, experience and further reading adding to his skill and ability. He has been abroad for further study and keeps in close touch with the most advanced methods of eminent phy- sicians not only of this country but of the old world. Peoria is his native city and his natal day was December 27, 1879. He comes of Scotch ancestry, his grandfather being William Rutherford, a native of Scotland, who after sailing from the old world to the new, made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Tennessee in 1849. Soon afterward, however, he came to Peoria, thus founding the family in this city. His son, R. William Rutherford, the father of Dr. Rutherford, became a prominent coal merchant here and for many years occupied a leading position in commercial circles, so that his death, which occurred in 1901, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife bore the maiden name of Isabella Grieves.
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