Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 34

Author: Rice, James Montgomery, 1842-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 34


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JOHN HILLIS DE WEIN.


It rarely falls to the lot of a man, even in these days of hustle and initiative, to start in a city the size of Peoria a business of an entirely new character. Men in this city have rung changes upon old established businesses, have torn down, built up, and improved, have branched out in new departments and large ad- ditions, but it was the part of the young man who is the subject of this sketch, John Hillis De Wein, to bring something new into the business world of this city. Mr. De Wein's business is the selling of rebuilt typewriters. He makes a specialty of this. He has no new typewriters in liis shop. The rewards which are the natural result of orginality and initiative, and which invariably come to the pioneer in any line of activity in the development of a city, have been Mr. De Wein's in the short period of his business career. He is a man of marked capacity and decided character and of the most undoubted integrity. In busi- ness transactions he exhibits the quick appreciation and prompt decision which are as necessary to' the successful merchant as to the successful general, but tempered with a courtesy which wins the esteem of all who come in contact with him.


John Hillis De Wein was born in Peoria in 1886, the son of John N. and Catherine De Wein of this city. His father was at one time a prominent grocer in this city, with a large store on Liberty street, but retired a number of years before his death, which occurred in 1889.


John Hillis De Wein was educated in the grammar schools of Peoria, but left at the age of thirteen years, after his graduation from the Franklin school, and entered the employ of the Underwood Typewriter Company, holding import- ant positions in the mechanical and sales departments until 1910. During all these years, Mr. De Wein gave his best efforts to the company by whom he was em- ployed, and all the affairs for which he was responsible were conducted in a manner reflecting upon him the greatest credit. He learned the business from the bottom up. Few men in the business today understand more about the mechanism and sale of typewriters than he does. He combines with business ability and sagacity of the highest order, those personal qualities which attach men to him, and gain for him the confidence and esteem of the business world.


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In 1910, Mr. De Wein left the employ of the Underwood company, and started in business for himself, selling rebuilt typewriters. He has a large and pleasant office on the twelfth floor of the Jefferson building, where he con- ducts an extensive and constantly growing business. He has recently opened a repair department and a department of typewriter supplies, but his main at- tention is still given to the rebuilt typewriters. He gets his machines from the Typewriter rebuilders in Chicago who make a specialty of rebuilding, and al- though his business is young, it is flourishing from year to year. The first year his sales amounted to over two hundred rebuilt typewriters, and this record has been broken each year during which he has conducted the office.


Mr. De Wein keeps himself entirely independent politically, voting always for the man whom he considers the best for the position. He is active in the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and is very much in- terested in the affairs of the Peoria Association of Commerce.


Mr. De Wein is one of those active, rising young business men to whom Peoria looks for her future greatness. He is an indefatigable worker, a man of marked capacity, quick and decisive in his methods, keenly alive to any business proposition and its possibilities. He gives his time and his best energies to the business which he has established, believing in the doctrine of hard work, as the foundation of success. The record of such a life is well worth preserving, and in it his fellow citizens and friends may find much for emulation.


CHARLES W. FEY.


Peoria has every reason to be proud of its commercial enterprises, and con- spicuous among these is the extensive jewelry establishment in which Charles W. Fey is a partner. The house now sustains an enviable reputation by reason of the fine line of goods carried, showing everything that is most attractive in workmanship and design of both foreign and domestic manufacture. The busi- ness is one of the old established houses of the city, and throughout has main- tained the highest standards in trade. It was founded by David Fey, the father of Charles W. Fey, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 2, 1833. The first thirteen years of his life were spent in his native land, during which period his parents died and he came with his brother to America, they making their way to Cincinnati. In that city he learned the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade, and when about nineteen years of age he went to Glasgow, Kentucky, where he engaged in the jewelry business for one year. At the expiration of that period he removed to Peoria. He was married here in 1856 and then re- turned to Glasgow, Kentucky, where he disposed of his business. Again he came to Peoria and opened a jewelry store on Main street. He continued alone until he admitted his two sons, George S. and Charles W., to a partnership in 1882, at which time he retired from the active management of the store. Within that period he had built up a gratifying trade and had made for the house a most enviable reputation, owing to his straightforward dealings and his strict conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics. His name figures prom- inently upon the pages of Peoria's business history during the middle portion of the nineteenth century. He is still survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Schafer and is now living in this city. They were the parents of six children, of whom three survive: Mrs. C. J. Off, George S. and Charles W. The last named has now retired from business.


Charles W. Fey was born in Peoria, January 21, 1860, and upon attaining school age began his studies. He was still quite young when he entered his father's store, and learning the trade became a practical watchmaker and en- graver. As previously stated, his father retired in 1882, turning over the busi-


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ness to his two sons, George S. and Charles W. Their original location was at 319 Main street where the store had been located for about ten years. In 1885, however, they removed to South Adams street where they continued for twenty-four years, or until May, 1909, when they came to their present loca- tion. The elder brother, George S., has retired leaving Charles W. Fey as sole proprietor. He now confines his attention exclusively to the diamond and watch business, and his establishment is represented on the road by two traveling salesmen. For two years he has been located in the Masonic Temple and con- trols a business of large and gratifying proportions. He is acknowledged an expert judge of precious stones, particularly diamonds, and his trade therein is now a very extensive one. Moreover, he is interested in other business affairs, and at one time was associated with his brother under the firm name of Fey Brothers in the conduct of the Fey Hotel which was erected by their father in 1893. It was then the leading hostelry of the city, and in 1894 was opened by the brothers who conducted it for a year and then sold out.


Charles W. Fey was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Swain of Still- water, Minnesota, and they have two children, Emma and Charles David. Their friends in the city are many, and their hospitality is greatly enjoyed by those with whom they have social relations. A lifelong resident of this city Charles W. Fey is widely known here. In the specific line of his trade his knowledge is particularly sound and his insight keen, while his capable management and un- daunted enterprise have been forceful and salient features in the attainment of the success which places him with the leading merchants of the city.


M. H. DOTY.


M. H. Doty, who, since October, 1903, has been connected with the business of undertaking and embalming at Hanna City, was born in Grundy Center, Grundy county, Iowa, March 15, 1876. His parents were John S. and Dora A. (Mayer) Doty, both of whom were born in Michigan and resided at Constantine, in that state, where the father for twenty years had a harness shop. They lived for a time in Iowa, but in 1879 returned to Constantine where the father died in April, 1890.


M. H. Doty remained under the parental roof until fourteen years of age when he began work on a farm on which he was employed for four years. In 1894 he came to Illinois, locating at Ottawa, where for two years he worked for the firm of H. L. Hossack & Son in the farming implement business. In 1896 he entered the employ of the Western Cottage Piano & Organ Company, remaining with them until 1900, when he became assistant superintendent of the Peoria County Poor Farm. In 1901 he went to Wieser, Idaho, where he was engaged for one year in the undertaking and furniture business in partnership with William McBratney. The following year he returned to Peoria and en- tered into partnership with J. B. Wilton in the undertaking business. In 1904 these partners established a branch office at Hanna City and Mr. Doty took charge of and managed the same for two years. In 1905 purchasing the interest of Mr. Wilton, he engaged alone in the undertaking business, which he is now conducting. He is a licensed embalmer.


On the 4th of November, 1903, Mr. Doty was united in marriage to Miss Cora Leslie, who is a daughter of Samuel A. and Alice ( Patton) Leslie of Logan township, and they have become the parents of two children : Nathan L., born September 4, 1905 ; and Alden L., born June 10, 1907, and now deceased.


In politics Mr. Doty is a republican, and he is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is identified with the Columbus Lodge, No. 21 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Peoria, with the Lancaster


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Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is very efficient and conscientious in his work as an undertaker and embalmer. and has the patronage of the residents not only of Hanna City but in a radius of miles around, and his fidelity and honorable and manly principles have won for him the good-will and friendship of all with whom he has been brought in contact.


DAVID FEY.


In 1844 a small German family consisting of father and a ten year old son, left Bavaria to try their fortunes in America. Sixty-seven years afterward, the little boy, David Fey, died in Peoria, a wealthy and honored man. In the long life which he lived in America, each step he took was a step forward. The little boy grew into an industrious and intelligent young man, and the young man lived successful year after year, until the respect of his fellows and great pros- perity crowned his old age.


Mr. Fey was for many years one of the most prominent jewelers of Peoria, and he brought into his business life the unflagging industry, the thorough mastery of his business, and the hard power of application which marked his character. Hard work was the keynote of his life. He had very little money of his own when he began his business life in America. What he died possessed of, was the result of the strength of his industry and the power of his mind. Peoria may well be proud of being the home of a citizen of such sturdy qualities as David Fey possessed, and may well mourn the loss of such a man when he dies. Mr. Fey was one of the city's pioneer business men. He worked hard until he was able to buy his own shop, and after he bought it he attended to it assiduously until it was one of the leading jewelry stores of the city.


David Fey was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1834. At the age of ten years, he came to America with his father, and settled in Cincinnati. After what edit- cation the schools of that city then afforded, Mr. Fey applied himself to learn- ing the jewelry business. He learned it thoroughly. He mastered every detail of his craft with characteristic exhaustiveness. When in 1856 he came to Peoria, he put his training to practical use by going into the jewelry business, in a little shop at the foot of Main street. This little shop was the source of a large fortune. The foundation was solid, composed as it was of a man's self- reliance, honesty and business integrity. The business prospered, and in the course of time, Mr. Fey was able to erect a newer and larger store at 319 Main street. Here he remained until twenty-five years of age, when, without giving up his jewelry business, Mr. Fey embarked in a new venture. He built the Hotel Fey, at the corner of Adams and Liberty streets. This hotel was, at the time it was built, one of the finest hotels in the city. and it has prospered exceed- ingly from that day to this. Mr. Fey removed his jewelry business to one of the stores in the hotel, and continued in personal charge of it until five years later when he sold out to his two sons, George and Charles Fey, who conducted the business for twenty years, when George retired in 1909. After his retire- ment from business, Mr. David Fey, our subject, spent his time in managing his local real-estate interests which were extensive. Mr. Fey had always great faith in the future of his city, and seldom went outside for investments. He had a keen sense for real-estate values, and up to the time of his death when he was over seventy-seven years, his business sagacity never deserted him. Mr. Fey died on July 2, 1911, deeply mourned by his many friends. He had five chil- dren, one daughter. Mrs. C. J. Off, and two sons, George and Charles Fey, all of Peoria, who are living; and two daughters who have passed away.


David Fey was a plain and practical business man. He was a man of quiet and domestic tastes, and rejoiced to have his family about him. He had at the


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time of his death eight grandchildren, in whom he took great pride and delight. He was vigorous and keen-sighted in business, gifted with the true instinct of the modern business man and his financial success was remarkable. He was a member of the Schiller lodge of the Masonic order, the only fraternal affilia- tion which he had. His life was a peaceful and a prosperous one-a life filled with promises which were realized by that small German boy who came to America with his father, attained success unaided and died full of years and honors after a worthy life.


HENRY COX.


Henry Cox, who now lives retired in Elmwood was born in the northern part of Mississippi in 1859. He was the son of Lewis and Jitann Cox, both of whom were natives of Mississippi and spent all their lives there. In their family were four children. Henry Cox was born a slave and ran away just before the emancipation proclamation, coming to Illinois, where he located in Elm- wood township. On reaching here he had five dollars in his possession and he immediately hired out by the month to a farmer and was thus employed for thirteen years. He then purchased a farm of seventy acres in this township, improved and cultivated the same, and now owns in all one hundred and sixty acres. He has always carried on general farming and stock-raising. In 1903 he removed to Elmwood, where he purchased a home on the south side of town and has since lived retired.


On the 6th of March, 1878, Mr. Cox married Miss Clara Reed, who was born September 2, 1847, at Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, the daughter of Reuben and Dolly Reed, who were old settlers in that section of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born three children, all of whom died in infancy.


In his political relations Mr. Cox is a republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cox has been successful in his business and has gained the respect of his neighbors and the business men of the community. Both he and Mrs. Cox have many friends here.


JOHN SCHNEIDER, JR.


Trade relations in Peoria find a worthy representative in John Schneider, Jr., who, fortunate in entering upon a business already established, has carried it forward upon strictly business principles. He is now a partner in the firm of Schneider & Metzger, dealers in barber's supplies and barber's furniture, while at the same time they conduct a machine and general repair shop at 410 Fulton street. Mr. Schneider comes of Swiss ancestry. His father, John Schneider, Sr., was born in Berne, Switzerland, and there spent his youthful days. He learned the cutlery trade in his native land, and as a young man came to America. He has been a resident of Peoria for forty-two years, and no citizen is more familiar with the history of the growth and development here than is John Schneider, Sr. Moreover, he figured for many years as a leading factor in the business circles. He began dealing in barbers' supplies and barbers' fur- niture about 1870 and long continued successfully in that trade but then turned the business over to younger men and retired to private life, enjoying a well earned rest. He was married here to Miss Susana Stoller, and both are still residents of Peoria. Mr. Schneider receives the veneration and respect which


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should ever be accorded one who has reached advanced years and whose life has been well and worthily spent.


His son and namesake, John Schneider, Jr., acquired his education in the public schools of Peoria, and in 1900 entered the employ of his father with whom he remained until 1908, when, on the retirement of his father, he suc- ceeded to an interest in the business in connection with Emil Metzger, his present partner and associate. Mr. Metzger is a practical mechanic and was connected with the house first as an employe, but in 1890 was admitted to a partnership in the business. He is also at the head of the Reliance Motor Company located at 106 South Madison street, Peoria. The firm of Schneider & Metzger em- ploy about ten men and have a plant fully equipped for the conduct of a general machine and repair business. They also handle the most complete line of bar- bers' supplies and barbers' furniture in this state outside of Chicago. They are still located at 410 Fulton street where Mr. Schneider's father so long car- ried on the business. They occupy the entire three floors and basement of the building and their trade covers a large territory, reaching out along constantly ramifying lines until the firm name of Schneider & Metzger is now widely known throughout the middle west.


E. J. CASE.


E. J. Case is a member of the wholesale drug firm known as the Sutliff & Case Company, manufacturing chemists and pharmacists and wholesale dealers in physicians', hospital and dental supplies. In addition to the wholesale department a retail business is carried on, their location being at Nos. 312 and 314 South Adams street. The company occupies the entire four stories of a double brick building there and the business is one of the most progressive commercial enter- prises in the city. Active in its management and control, E. J. Case has become well known in business circles. In addition to the drug business he is also the vice president of the Peoria Life Insurance Company and is also a member of the firm of Case & Kroenlein, manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in saddlery at Peoria. It is characteristic of him that what he undertakes he accomplishes and his constantly broadening interests indicate the scope of his ability and enterprise.


Mr. Case was born upon a farm in Medina township, Peoria county, Illinois, August 20, 1848, his parents being Irvin W. and Salina Case, who came to this state from Oswego, New York, in 1839, and settled upon a farm in Medina town- ship, Peoria county. It was there that E. J. Case spent his early days amid the scenes and environments of farm life, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He became familiar with the best methods of cultivating and caring for the crops and was thus associated with farming interests until twenty-seven years of age, when, in 1875, he removed to Alta, Illinois. There he turned his attention to gen- eral merchandising and continued therein until 1887, when he disposed of his interests and sought the opportunities offered in the large city, coming at once to Peoria, where he joined forces with Warren Sutliff in establishing what is now well known as the Sutliff & Case Company. This house has maintained a high standard of service and has won a well merited reputation for the excellence of the products handled. They not only do a wholesale and retail business in drugs but also in physicians' and dentists' supplies and are manufacturing chemists and pharmacists. They also handle photographic stock on quite an extensive scale, this proving quite an important branch of their business. Their trade now covers a wide territory and is constantly on the increase. It is now one of the important features in the commercial life here and the business methods of the house are such as have won for it a merited reputation for reliability and enterprise.


E. J. CASE


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Mr. Case has been married twice. He first wedded Georgia Edgett, who died, leaving three children: Maurice E., secretary and treasurer of the Crescent Coal Company, in which his father is largely interested; Willard G., who is associated with the Sutliff & Case Company ; and Florence. 11 1887 Mr. Case chose for his second wife Miss Nettie Waugh. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, advancing steadily through the different branches of the order until he is now a member of the lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory and the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Creve Coeur Club, the Peoria Country Club and the Illinois Valley Yacht Club. Even his extensive business and his important social interests do not fully occupy his time. At least he makes opportunity to take part in the public life of the community, especially in support of those projects and movements which have for their object the general good. His ideas are practical, his efforts resultant and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any measure that he believes will prove beneficial to the community at large.


JAMES GOURAN.


James Gouran is commercial agent for the Wabash Railroad, with offices in the Woolner building, and has long been identified with railway interests in this section. He comes of a family that for more than a half century has been represented in Peoria. His father was Thomas Gouran, who was born in the county of West Meath, Ireland, in 1805, and was a son of John and Rosie (Haley) Gouran, natives of West Meath and Kildare respectively. Thomas Gouran was reared on his father's farm and after starting out in life on his own account engaged in farming for himself. He was married in 1840 to Miss Mar- garet Gavigan, also a native of West Meath, and unto them were born seven children, John, James, Rosie, Jane, Mary, Bridget and Margaret. In the year 1858 the entire family came to the new world and cast in their lot with Peoria's citizens. The name has since been an honored one here because of the activity and the prominence of the different members of the household. For many years Thomas Gouran was active in railroad circles but at length sustained an injury and retired.


James Gouran spent his boyhood and youth largely in Peoria and at the out- set of his business carcer became connected with railway interests. Industry, fidelity and ready adaptability have won him promotion, bringing him added responsibilities until he now occupies the important position of commercial agent for the Wabash Railroad Company, with offices in the Woolner building. In this connection he is widely known but not more so than through his activity in church and benevolent work. He contributes generously where aid is needed and has put forth earnest effort to alleviate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate.


HARLAN E. GIBBS.


Harlan E. Gibbs, who is engaged in general farming, is a native resident of Elmwood township. He was born November 27, 1880, the son of Ichabod O. and Mary (Truitt) Gibbs. The paternal grandparents, Justus and Betty Gibbs, were both natives of New York and were among the early settlers of this township and here they both passed away. They entered government land here and later owned a large tract of valuable land in this county. The maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Truitt, were both natives of Ohio and were also early settlers in Peoria county. The mother, Mary (Truitt) Gibbs, was a Vol. II-15


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native of Ohio but the father, Ichabod O. Gibbs, was born in this township in 1838. The parents were both reared in this county and were married here. The father was a well known farmer in this community and now lives a mile south of the home of the subject of this sketch, residing with one of his sons. He deserves especial mention as an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company I, of the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His wife passed away in 1885. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living.




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