USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 33
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Dr. Rutherford was reared in Peoria and attended the public schools, mas- tering the branches of learning in successive grades until graduated from the
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high school with the class of 1897. A professional career appeared to him most attractive, and thinking to find the practice of medicine congenial and hoping to find it profitable, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago in preparation for his chosen life work. He pursued the regular four years' course and was graduated in 1901, being chosen president of his class by his fellow students and being awarded the Benjamin Rush medal by the college. Ilis high standing secured him the position of interne in the Presbyterian Hospital of that city, where he remained for a year. The years 1903 to 1905 he devoted to post-grad- nate work in Chicago. He then returned to Peoria to take up his permanent abode and in the intervening years has concentrated his energies upon his chosen life work. He practiced here until 1908, when he went abroad, spending a part of that and the succeeding year in the General Hospital at Vienna and also doing considerable work in a hospital in Berlin. He makes a specialty of in- ternal medicine and is serving on the staff of Proctor Hospital. He belongs to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In 1904, Dr. Rutherford married Miss Margaret Tallman, of Berkeley, Cali- fornia, and they now have one child, Margaret. Dr. Rutherford is well known in the city where his entire life has been passed save for brief periods when he has absented himself for the purposes of study. Many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present and this fact is indicative of an honorable and well spent life.
CHARLES H. BROBST, M. D.
This is an age of specialization. Scientific knowledge has become so broad and so complex that a single individual cannot master fully every department of any single science, and therefore with a knowledge of the broad fundamental principles men have concentrated their efforts and their energies along a single line and have thereby attained a proficiency which otherwise could not be secured. Following the natural trend of the age, Dr. Charles H. Brobst has concentrated his attention upon the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and is accorded a liberal patronage which enables him to maintain well appointed offices in the Observatory building. He has followed his profession in Peoria since November, 1893. He comes from one of the chief centers of medical learning, being a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his birth having there occurred in 1864. While spending his boyhood days in the home of his father, Jonas L. Brobst, he attended the public and high schools of Philadelphia, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1881. He studied medicine in the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore and at Johns Hopkins Univer- sity of the same city. From the former he was graduated with the class of 1887 and he then pursued special studies in the latter. In 1888 he was gradu- ated from the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia and thus he came under the teaching of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the country in the different centers of medical learning. He afterward went to New York City, where he studied for a year and acted as interne at the Post- Graduate School. His experience there greatly augmented his skill but still not content with the advantages he had already received and striving to attain as high a degree of perfection as possible, he went in 1890 to Vienna, spending two years at the General Hospital as a student in that branch of practice, which has to do with diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He also passed a year at Moorefield's Hospital in London and at the Golden Square Nose and Throat Hospital of the same city. Splendid equipment qualified him for his specialty and upon his return to the United States he opened an office in Peoria, where he
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has since been located. He soon demonstrated his ability in practice and the vol- ume of his business has steadily grown until it has now reached extensive pro- portions. In addition to a large private practice he is serving as president on the staff of Proctor Hospital and has become well known as an educator, being the lecturer on physiological optics at Bradley Polytechnic Institute of this city.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Dr. Brobst was married in 1894 to Miss Marian K. Kuntz, of Peoria, and they have two children, Dorothy and Charles. They are widely and favorably known and theirs is a hospitable home, always open for the reception of their many friends. Dr. Brobst is a Mason of high standing. He has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites, being a Knight . Templar and a thirty-second degree consistory Mason, as well as a member of the Mystic Shrine. His social prominence is indicated in his admission to the Creve Coeur Club. Notwithstanding the fact that his many activities and in- terests are wide and varied, keeping him in touch with the world's progress along many lines, he yet concentrates his energies upon his professional duties, realizing fully the responsibilities that devolve upon him in this connection. He belongs to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical So- ciety, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Oph- thalmology and Oto-Laryngology, and seeks always that perfection which is the legitimate aim of every earnest, conscientious physician.
GEORGE FRANCIS EMERSON.
Prominent among the energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Peoria is George Francis Emerson, of the firm of Cummings & Emerson, whole- sale dealers in heavy hardware. His career is another illustration of the fact that the road to usefulness and prosperity is open to any who wish to pursue it. He early learned the lesson that industry is the basis of all honorable success and that perseverance will often overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He was born in Morton, Tazewell county, Illinois, 'April 4, 1847, his parents being Enoch G. and Harriet P. (Waters) Emerson, both of whom were na- tives of New England. The father's birth occurred in Rochester, Vermont, April 19, 1812, and the mother was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 22, 1815. They came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1834, in company with a colony that expected to locate there but being disappointed in securing a satisfactory location as to lands they removed to Tazewell county and be- came pioneers of that section. This was only two years after the Black Hawk war occurred and on every hand were seen evidences of frontier life, with all its attendant hardships, difficulties and disadvantages. However, it is a well known fact that in the face of opposition the best and strongest in men is brought out and developed and Mr. Emerson proved himself equal to the ardu- ous task of cultivating a new farm on the frontier. He remained in Tazewell county until March, 1865, when he brought his family to Peoria.
George Francis Emerson was then about eighteen years of age. He had been educated in the public schools of Tazewell county and early became fami- liar with the arduous task of developing a new farm. Following the removal of the family to this city he pursued a course of study in the Worthington, Warner & Coles Commercial College, and in the following fall entered actively in business life as assistant bookkeeper for D. C. Farrell. In 1866 and 1867 he was bookkeeper for the firm of C. L. Bobb & Company and on the 15th of June, 1868, he accepted the position of bookkeeper with Cummings & Stone, wholesale dealers in heavy hardware. This was his initial step in connection with the business that has since claimed his time and attention. At length Mr. Stone sold out his interest in the establishment to his partner, Mr. Cummings,
GEORGE F. EMERSON
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who conducted the business alone for the next two years. On the Ist of Feb- ruary, 1872, he admitted Mr. Emerson to a partnership under the firm style of Cummings & Emerson, and since Mr. Cummings' death on the 25th of January, 1878, the business has been under the sole management of Mr. Emerson. In the meantime the interest of Mr. Cummings remained under the control of his widow until 1896, when it passed into the hands of her heirs. Early in March, 1897, the business was incorporated under the original firm name of Cummings & Emerson, with Mr. Emerson as president and manager. The trade of the house has grown steadily since the establishment of the business in 1867. They carry a most complete and extensive line of heavy hardware and this is widely known as one of the most progressive houses in their branch of the trade. Im- provement and advancement have been Mr. Emerson's watchwords and he has never lost sight of the fact that each year should record a growth in the busi- ness. His has been an expensive policy, yet tempered by safe conservatism, and he has always kept in close touch with the various phases of the trade, so that he has been enabled to purchase judiciously from manufacturers and thereby gain a good profit on his sales without asking exorbitant prices. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Emerson is a director in the First National Bank and is thus widely and favorably known in financial circles.
On the 17th of November, 1871, Mr. Emerson was united in marriage to Miss Harriet C. Woodruff. a daughter of Nelson and Mary A. Woodruff, of Peoria. They became the parents of four children, of whom Ada, the eldest, died in infancy, and George W. died at the age of five and a half years. The surviving children are Frank Nelson and Grace W. E., the latter of whom is a graduate of LaSalle Seminary, Boston. Frank Nelson Emerson was graduated from Princeton University of New Jersey, and also the Institute of Technology, at Boston, and is now a successful practicing architect in this city.
Mr. Emerson belongs to the Presbyterian church but is a broad-minded man, whose Christianity is above creed and dogma. His political faith is that of the republican party and while never an office seeker his cooperation has ever been counted upon for the benefit and welfare of the community in the long period in which he has made his home in Peoria. He started in business life without any special advantages but he early realized that "there is no excellence without labor." and also that "there is no royal road to wealth." He was willing to earn his success and he has used every honorable means for its attainment.
CHESTER F. BARNETT.
Chester F. Barnett, police magistrate and attorney at law, has come to his present position solely through his own merit. He is one of the younger mem- bers of the Peoria bar, whose earnest labor and ability have won recognition and secured his continuous advancement. He was born upon a farm in Dewitt county, Illinois, August 4, 1878, his parents being John W. and Mary Ellen (Cheek) Barnett. The father is a farmer, who has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife are still living on the old home- stead farm in Dewitt county. The Barnetts were early settlers there and the family has been represented in America since colonial days. Prior to the Revo- lutionary war, the ancestors of our subject lived in Virginia and about 1780 went to Kentucky. Sixty years later, or about 1840, a removal was made from that state to Illinois. Alexander Barnett, great-great-great-grandfather of our subject, served in the Revolutionary war and was a pioneer and prominent phy- sician in Bourbon county, Kentucky. Robert Barnett, the great-grandfather, came from Kentucky with his family and in that state Benjamin Barnett, the
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grandfather, was also born. The Cheek family lived in Pennsylvania and was also founded in Illinois in pioneer times.
It was upon the old home farm that Chester F. Barnett was reared and the work of tilling the soil early became familiar to him. When not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom, he worked in the fields and early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He supplemented his early educational advantages by study in Kenney high school and afterward pursued a business course in Eureka (Illinois) College, where he took up the study of shorthand in connection with the regular business course. For a num- ber of years he worked as a stenographer but in that time became imbued with a desire to make the practice of law his life work, and with that end in view he entered the Illinois College of Law, at Chicago, in 1902, for a three years' course, which he completed by graduation with the class of 1905. He then came to Peoria in January, 1906, and has practiced continuously in this city. He soon demonstrated his ability in the successful conduct of the cases en- trusted to his care and in the spring of 1911 there came to him a public ex- pression of confidence on the part of his fellow townsmen in his election to the office of police magistrate on the democratic ticket. He succeeded Frank Fox and was the only democrat elected on the democratic city ticket, a fact which is indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him and in his professional power.
In 1900 Mr. Barnett was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Whicher, of Chicago, and unto them have been born two sons, Franklin Newell and Robert Vernon. Mr. Barnett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and exemplifies in his life the basic elements upon which the craft rests. By nature he is social and genial and he has many attractive social qualities which have won him a circle of warm friends.
DAVID FORNEY.
The years which have brought David Forney to his present enviable position as a financier and land owner have been characterized by continuous progress that has resulted from his close application and keen business discernment. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public life outside his strict path of business, for therein he has found ample opportunity to utilize his ambition and his energy-his dominant qualities. He has been a resident of the city of Peoria for only a brief period, but has been a lifelong resident of the county and for years was one of the foremost representatives of agricultural life in eastern Illinois. The name of Forney has been associated with development and progress in Peoria since pioneer times. David Forney was born upon a farm in Kickapoo township on the 12th of February, 1854. His parents, J. Y. and Catherine (Feeser) Forney, were married in Pennsylvania in May, 1852, and immediately afterward removed westward, settling in Peoria county, the father purchasing a tract of land which he converted into a rich and productive farm, making his home thereon for almost a half century, or until the time of his death which occurred January 25, 1900. He added to his original holdings until he was the owner of a very fine farm in Kickapoo township and also had an extensive tract of land in Radner township. Besides these he owned three valuable farms in Woodford county, Illinois, and a large farming property in Kansas. He regarded real estate as the safest of all invesments, and as the years passed on and his financial resources increased he dealt extensively in land. His business efforts were always carefully and systematically managed, and his integrity was never a matter of question. He was survived for nearly six years by his wife who passed away November 9, 1905.
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The old homestead farm in Kickapoo township was both a playground and training school for David Forney in his boyhood and youth. He still owns a part of that property and resided thereon until January, 1908. He has, however, sold a portion of the original tract owned by his father but still has one hundred and thirty-six acres in Kickapoo township, together with a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Woodford county, Illinois, near Minonk. He rents both of these properties, deriving a good income therefrom. While living on the old homestead he carried on general farming and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation in the raising of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate. He also dealt largely in fine stock and did not a little to improve the grade of cattle raised in this section. In his boyhood days Mr. Forney attended the dis- trict schools and for two years was a student in the high school at Elmwood, after which he finished his course in the Peoria County Normal. He engaged in teaching for three years in Rosefield, Kickapoo and Radner townships, spend- ing one year in each, and displayed considerable ability in imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge he had acquired, but farming was his real life work up to the time he retired from the old homestead and established his residence in Peoria. Here he figured prominently in financial circles, being the vice president of the State Trust & Savings Bank. He was one of the incorpo- rators of this institution, and he and the president. E. A. Strause, are now the only members of the original board of directors. He has served on the examin- ing committee of the bank for years, and in his present position has voice in its management and contributes in no small measure to its successful conduct. He is also largely interested in stocks, having made heavy investments in com- mercial paper of that character, and he also has much money loaned out but regards investments in land as superior to all others.
On the 14th of December, 1882, Mr. Forney was married to Miss Annie Karnaghan of Hanna City, Illinois. They are the parents of one child, Everett E. The family residence is at 506 North Monroe street, and is one of the attract- ive homes of the city. Hospitality there reigns supreme, and good cheer is ex- tended to all their many friends. Mr. Forney has never regarded the word "citizenship" as an idle term. It represents to him obligations and duties as well as privileges, and he has utilized every means at hand to further the welfare and promote the progress and upbuilding of his county. His political allegiance has always been given the republican party and he has served as road commissioner of Kickapoo township, and for one term was supervisor, being elected by a majority of seventy-nine in a vote of three hundred and twenty-five that was cast in the democratic township. This fact alone indicates his personal popular- ity and the high regard entertained for him by his neighbors and friends. Mr. Forney has, in a manner, lived a quiet life. There have been none of the spectacular features which are to be found in connection with high political or military office, but day by day he has faithfully performed the duties nearest at hand, and in so doing has commanded the respect and good-will of his fellow- men. Moreover, in all his business transactions he has been found thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising, and the success which is his has come to him as the legitimate and well merited reward of earnest labor and keen business sagacity.
ROBERT A. HANNA, M. D.
Dr. Robert A. Hanna, a representative of the medical profession in Peoria since 1894. has devoted himself exclusively to surgery since 1908 and has gained a position of distinction in that field of practice. He was born here July 20, 1868, a son of Robert S. and Charlotte ( Roberts) Hanna, both of whom are still liv- ing in this city. His maternal grandfather came to Illinois in 1835, removing
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from Ohio to this state just three years after the Black Hawk war occurred, when all eastern Illinois was largely an undeveloped and unimproved region. He set- tled in Tazewell county, just across the river from Peoria, which, however, at that time, was a mere hamlet and gave no indication of the prominence to which it was to attain as a commercial and industrial center.
Dr. Hanna was reared in this city and his youth was passed as that of most boys, the public schools affording him his educational privileges. He passed from one grade to another until he became a high-school student, and when he left school he entered business life, securing a position in a wholesale paper house, in which he was employed for four years. Thinking to find a professional career more congenial than commercial pursuits he then entered upon the study of medicine and was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, with the class of 1894. Immediately afterward he returned to this city and opened an office. His record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his birth Dr. Hanna has made continuous progress and is today regarded as one of the eminent members of the profession in eastern Illinois, especially in the field of surgery, to which he has confined his attention exclusively since 1908. Up to that time he continued in general practice but his work was becom- ing more and more largely that of surgery and he felt the keenest interest in that branch of the profession. His reading and study were largely directed along that line and his experience constantly added to his ability. His work embodies the most modern and scientific principles and methods and he has proven his power in many notable instances. He served for three years as county physician, from 1899 until 1901, inclusive. He belongs to the Peoria City Medi- cal Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation and has served as president of the first named. He holds to high stand- ards of professional service and is interested in anything that tends to bring to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life. His reading has been broad, his research deep and his wide knowledge makes his opinions authority upon many questions relative to the profession.
Dr. Hanna was united in marriage to Miss Emma Coleman, of this city, and they have a large circle of warm friends here. Fraternally he is a Mason and socially is connected with the Creve Coeur Club. His friends, and they are many, find him a social, genial gentleman of broad and liberal culture.
WALTER HERMANN KIRK.
Walter Hermann Kirk, attorney and counselor, was born December 5, 1870, in Baxter Springs, Cherokee county, Kansas, the son of John E. and Laura J. (Sevier) Kirk. His father, John E. Kirk was born in Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, March 4, 1850, and was the son of James F. Kirk, a native Ten- nesseean. His mother was born in Sullivan county, December 3, 1852. He was engaged in the cattle and grain business for a number of years, his home having been in the northern part of Missouri, near Kirksville, which city was named after relatives, who moved from Virginia and Tennessee at a very early period in the settling of the state of Missouri. After a few years in Kansas, Mr. Kirk returned to Missouri where he engaged in farming and later went to California, residing at San Jose and Colusa. From there he returned to Mis- souri about 1876, and shortly after acquired by purchase a patent hay-stacking device from James R. Hill, which he perfected, manufactured and sold. His headquarters were at Salisbury, Missouri, but this town did not furnish the facilities for a large manufacturing business, and in looking for a location he came to Peoria in August, 1881. Shortly afterward Mr. Kirk organized the
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WALTER H. KIRK
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HOME OF WALTER H. KIRK, GRAND VIEW DRIVE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR TILDO & T
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Acme Hay Harvester Company and was president and general manager until his health failed in 1890. At that time he disposed of his interests and was not actively engaged in business at the time of his death, excepting the care of extensive land interests in California, where he died in March, 1898. The in- terment was in the family lot in Springdale cemetery, Peoria.
Walter H. Kirk was graduated from the Peoria grade and Peoria high schools, and in June, 1894, with the degree LL. B. from the University of Michigan. He returned to Peoria for the practice of law and has remained here since that time. Mr. Kirk was assistant supervisor in 1901-3 and city attorney, 1903-5. He has never held any other office, but is prominent in re- publican politics, and became widely known as a candidate for state senator in 1908. He is now associated in the practice of law with George A. Shurtleff, the firm name being Kirk & Shurtleff.
Mr. Kirk was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Matthews, daughter of Newton Matthews. November 12, 1895. They have a daughter, Evangeline, born November 12, 1897. Their home, "Valley View" on the Grand View Drive, overlooks the Illinois river valley at Peoria Heights. Mr. Kirk is a member of the Second Presbyterian church of Peoria; the Country Club, the Creve Coeur Club and all the masonic orders leading up to and including the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine.
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