USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 35
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Harlan E. Gibbs was educated in the public schools of this township and also completed a course in the Elmwood high school. Starting out in life for him- self, he engaged in farming and in 1908 purchased a tract of eighty acres in Elmwood township, where he now resides. He has made many improvements on this tract of land, erecting a new barn and generally bettering his farm. He engages in stock-raising, inaking a specialty of Berkshire hogs and Holstein cattle. He also raises potatoes quite extensively and last year produced over thirty-six hundred bushels on fifteen acres of ground.
On April 29, 1904, Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude M. Wilson, who was born in Peoria county and is an adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have been born three chil- dren, James Wilson, Harlan I. and Ruth E. In his political views Mr. Gibbs is a republican, and fraternally he belongs to Horeb Lodge, No. 363, A. F. & A. M., at Elmwood. Mr. Gibbs is a man of admirable characteristics and all his business relations have been conducted along the most honorable principles. He is exceptionally successful in his farming interests and is a prosperous resident of the section where he has always made his home.
JOHN C. PADDOCK.
John C. Paddock, whose business training has well qualified him for the solution of intricate and complex problems that arise in connection with his duties as cashier of the Merchants National Bank, has for almost a quarter of a century figured in connection with the financial interests of Peoria. His iden- tification with the bank which he now represents covers the period from 1897 and previously he was for ten years associated with the Central National Bank. He was born in Canandaigua, New York, March 6, 1870, and is a son of Charles H. Paddock, who was a well known attorney of that city. The grand- father, John W. Paddock, was located in Peoria in the railway business and with him John C. Paddock came to Peoria in 1877. Here he was reared and attended the local schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1887. The field of banking proved an attractive one to him and he immediately sought and obtained employment in the Central National Bank, occupying a clerical position. During the ten years of his connection with that institution he was advanced from time to time through intermediate positions until he resigned as teller to enter the Merchants National Bank as general bookkeeper. Sub- sequently he was appointed assistant cashier, which position he filled from 1903 until 1908, when he was made cashier. The steps in his orderly progression are thus easily discernible and each advancement has come to him in recognition of his capability in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. He early recognized the fact that fidelity and indefatigable industry are indispensable concomitants of success. By proving the worth of his work to the institutions which he has represented he has gained his promotions and now occupies a most creditable and responsible position in financial circles.
Mr. Paddock is pleasantly situated in his home life, having married Miss Maude Littlewood, a daughter of George H. Littlewood, of this city. The
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circle of their friends is an extensive one and in club circles, too, Mr. Paddock is well known, holding membership with the Creve Coeur and the Peoria Country Clubs. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles that have their root in his membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church, in which he has served as vestryman and treasurer for ten years. In the various lines of church work he is deeply interested and his broad humanitarian spirit is further manifest in his cooperation with the Associated Charities, of which he is treasurer. He looks at life from a broad standpoint, recognizes its obligations and its oppor- tunities and in the enjoyment of the latter never neglects the former.
GEORGE H. GIPPS.
Peoria has long since attained a position of leadership in connection with brewing and distilling interests and its output along those lines exceeds those of any other city of equal size in the country, and at the head of its enterprises of this character are men of marked business ability, keen discernment and un- faltering energy-men who recognize the possibilities of trade and utilize each opportunity for its full worth. Of this class George H. Gipps is a representa- tive and his position in the business circles of the city is that of general agent for the Terre Haute Brewing Company. He has been identified with the brew- ing trade since he completed his education. He was born near Morton, Taze- well county, Illinois, August 31, 1863, upon the home farm belonging to his father, John Mathuen Gipps, who came from England to the new world in 1845 and, making his way to the interior of the country, settled upon a tract of land near Morton. There for a number of years he successfully engaged in farming and when his industry and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital he embarked in the brewing business in Peoria, engaging in that line of trade about 1864. He was associated with a Mr. Howe in the establishment and conduct of a little ale brewery, which was afterward re- moved to the foot of Bridge street, where the large plant of the Gipps Brew- ing Company now stands. Gradually he developed a business of extensive proportions. As his trade increased he enlarged his facilities and in time drew his patronage from a very wide territory. He was president of the Gipps Brewing Company at the time of his death, which occurred November 27, 1881, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, Ellen Dawson, was also a native of England and they were married in New York city in 1852. They had two chil- dren, the elder being Mrs. Bessie Smith, the wife of C. B. Smith, of Peoria. The mother passed away in this city in 1898.
George H. Gipps was but six years of age when the family left the farm and took up their abode in Peoria, so that his education was acquired in the schools of this city, which he attended until he left the high school to become an active factor in business life. The opportunity was offered him of entering the establishment of the Gipps Brewing Company and he did so, thoroughly acquainting himself with every branch of the trade. He remained there until 1885, when he became associated with the Union Brewing Company, of which he was secretary for fifteen years. He then withdrew from that connection to accept the agency and position of manager with the Terre Haute Brewing Com- pany in 1900. He has since been connected with this corporation and is today its general agent, having supervision of the extension of its trade relations. The position is one of large responsibility and involves most important con- siderations and duties, for which Mr. Gipps' long experience has well prepared him.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gipps and Miss Jennie V. Tripp, a daughter of R. H. Tripp. They now have two children, Charles M. and Della
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T. In Masonry Mr. Gipps has advanced to a high position. He has served as high priest of Peoria Chapter, R. A. M., for three years, is a Knight Templar Mason and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Bene- volent Protective Order of Elks and has various other social relations, being a member of the South Side Turners, the Concordia Singing Society and the Creve Coeur Club. His social qualities have rendered him popular, while his business ability has gained him prominence.
ALBERT H. ADDISON.
Twenty-three years' connection with the Central National Bank well estab- lishes the position of Albert H. Addison as a thoroughly reliable and progres- sive business man. Gradually he has worked his way upward through inter- mediate positions until called to the cashiership on the Ist of January, 1910. His residence in Peoria dates from July, 1881. He was then a youth of four- teen years, his birth having occurred in Richland county, Illinois, in 1867. His parents died in his infancy and he was adopted by the Addison family, taking their name. His youthful days were passed in Livingston and in Lee counties of this state, in both of which he attended the public schools. His foster father also died when he was yet a boy so that he was thus practically twice orphaned when less than fourteen years of age. He was then thrown upon his own re- sources and, seeking the business opportunities offered in the city, came to Peoria where he was first employed in the grain office of Alexander G. Tyng, Sr., who was then located in the Board of Trade building. His salary was but three dollars per week and he paid out the entire amount for his board. What little money he had for clothing he obtained by gathering up grain in sacks and selling it to teamsters. His advantages and opportunities seemed extremely limited but the way of advancement is open to every ambitious, industrious and persistent individual. He resolved that he would progress and he studied day and night as he found the chance until he had mastered bookkeeping while oc- cupying a humble clerical position. He afterward secured a position as clerk in a railroad office in which he remained for a year, and during that period he learned telegraphy. He then returned to the board of trade and for two years acted in the capacity of detail clerk with the firm of Taylor Brothers & Miles. On resigning that position he next entered the employ of the Central National Bank with which he has been continuously connected since 1889. His first posi- tion was that of bookkeeper and later he was advanced to teller. He next bc came assistant cashier and so continued until the Ist of January, 1910, when he was made cashier of this institution which is one of the strong moneyed con- cerns of the city. Thus gradually he has worked his way upward. Each step has meant a promotion and has been indicative of his increasing ability and worth. He has indeed rendered his labors a serviceable and valuable element in the business world and his promotion has been the merited recognition of his fidelity.
In 1892 Mr. Addison was united in marriage to Miss Norma Wesner, of Maquoketa, Iowa, and they have one daughter, Enid Marie. Mr. Addison is a Mason, belonging to Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, organizations which have his loyalty because of the beneficent principles upon which they are founded. Moreover, he is an active and helpful worker and a member of the Cavalry Presbyterian church, doing everything in his power to further its interests along various lines. He is now serving as superintendent of the Sunday school and his labors have been effect- ive forces in extending the influence and promoting the growth of the church and its kindred activities. His life now shows the value of choosing "the
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better part." Denied in youth the home advantages and training which most boys receive, the inherent strength of his character has guided his life, prompt- ing him to utilize those things which are most worth while in making life honor- able and serviceable. He has never deviated from what his judgment sanctions as right between himself and his fellowmen and, holding to high ideals, he has commanded the respect and enjoyed the confidence and good-will of his col- leagues and contemporaries.
M. H. DARNELL.
M. H. Darnell, who with his wife owns an excellent farm of two hundred and ten acres situated in Elmwood township, was born in Knox county, Illinois, April 11, 1856. His parents were James C. and Mary ( Tabor ) Darnell, both of whom were natives of Ohio and came with their parents to this state, where they were married. The father was a prosperous and prominent cattle dealer in Peoria county. He died in September, 1910, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1908. In their family were six children, five of whom are now living.
M. H. Darnell was educated in the common schools of Peoria county and early became associated with the stock-raising business, at which he was em- ployed until 1898. In that year he became a traveling salesman for the Carter White Lead Company of Chicago and Omaha, and remained with them for twelve years, during which time he traveled in various parts of the United States. He has resided on the farm since 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Darnell have an excellent property and Mr. Darnell engages in general farming and in stock-raising.
On August 29, 1877, Mr. Darnell was united in marriage with Miss Lenora A. Wiley, who was born in Peoria county, a daughter of Morrison A. and Mary Wiley, who were early settlers in this county, having come here from Pennsyl- vania. To Mr. and Mrs. Darnell have been born two children: a daughter who died in infancy ; and a son, James Morrison, who is now a Universalist minister at Owatonna, Minnesota.
In his political views Mr. Darnell is a republican, and fraternally he belongs to Illinois Chapter, No. 263, A. F. & A. M., and to Peoria Consistory, S. P. R. S. Also he is a member of Mohammed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Mr. Darnell has been prosperous in all his business relations, both as a traveling salesman and as an agriculturist. He has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone by and his fidelity and strong purpose have been the founda- tion upon which he has builded the superstructure of his success.
ELISHA B. HAZEN.
Elisha B. Hazen is the secretary and treasurer of the Brass Foundry Com- pany. He became connected with this business in 1895, at which time he pur- chased an interest, and has since been an active factor in its capable manage- ment and successful control. He came to Peoria in 1890, when a young man of twenty years, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Champaign county, Illi- nois, in 1870. At the usual age he began his education in the schools there and eventually reached the high school of Champaign, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. He then looked about him for a favorable business opening and in the fall of 1890 came to Peoria, where he secured a clerical posi- tion in the offices of the Rock Island Railroad Company. There he remained for five years, although gradually working his way upward from one position
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to another. At length, however, he determined that his labors should more di- rectly benefit himself and to this end he purchased an interest in the present business and assumed charge as office manager. He also looks after new busi- ness and in this connection travels a part of the time. The president, J. G. Kasjens, is at the head of the manufacturing department and thus both branches of the Brass Foundry Company are capably controlled. Their works are at Nos. 711 to 717 South Adams street. They do all kinds of manganese bronze, nickel bronze, hydraulic and phosphor bronze work, aluminum castings, light and heavy machine work and brass finishing. They also manufacture soda fountain draft arms and coolers and take contracts for special work. The busi- ness is well housed, for they own a substantial building which has a frontage of sixty feet and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, while their lot is one hun- dred and seventy-nine feet deep. They employ from twenty to thirty skilled mechanics and molders and in 1911 their business amounted to about one hundred thousand dollars. The enterprise was established about 1890 and the business was incorporated in 1892, at which time the company occupied a small building at the corner of Persimmons and Adams streets. When they were burned out there they removed to the corner of Franklin and First streets, where they remained for eight years, and in 1906 came to their present location. Mr. Hazen is also interested to some extent in the real-estate business as a partner of Will S. Nash.
In 1895 was celebrated the marriage of Elisha B. Hazen and Miss Agnes McGill, of Peoria, and unto them have been born three children, Bruce, Effie and George. Mr. Hazen served as a member of the city council for one term. He belongs to the Creve Coeur Club, the Kickapoo Golf Club and also to the Modern Woodmen camp. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. The world instinctively pays its tribute to him who through enterprise, unrelaxing effort and clear-sighted judgment makes advancement without infringing on the rights and liberties of others. Such has been the record of Mr. Hazen, who started out in life with no capital save commendable ambition and determina- tion. Gradually he has advanced and his expanding powers have taken him from humble surroundings to the field of large enterprise and broadening op- portunities.
BENJAMIN OWEN.
Benjamin Owen, filling the position of inspector of boilers for the city of Peoria, was appointed by Mayor Woodruff and indorsed by the city council. He has occupied this position most creditably and acceptably since 1908, prior to which time he was for fifty years engaged in the boiler-maker's trade. He was born in England, July 23, 1842, the son of George and Jane (Wight) Owen. In the paternal line he comes of Welsh ancestry, his grandfather, George Owen, having been a native of Wales. When Benjamin Owen was twelve years of age his parents left England for the new world, settling in Cumberland, Maryland, where the father worked in a blast furnace for a number of years. In 1865, how- ever, he removed with his family to Peoria and spent the remainder of his days in this city, his death here occurring in 1868. His wife survived until she reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years.
Benjamin Owen was a young man of about twenty-three years when he accompanied his parents to this city. He began to learn the boilermakers' trade in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1857, in the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Company and was its employe until 1861, when, following the outbreak of the Civil war, he joined the army. His sympathies were with the Union cause and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the stars and stripes. He therefore en-
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BENJAMIN OWEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIU LIDMARY
ASTOR, LENCX AND TILOEN FOUNDATIONS.
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listed as a private in the Second Maryland Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and three months, retiring from the army as a corporal. He was mustered out at Cumberland in 1864 and returned home with a most creditable military record for on hotly contested battlefields he had given every evidence of his loyalty and valor.
The following year Mr. Owen came to Peoria to work at his trade as boiler maker in the shops of the Rock Island Railroad and has remained a continuous resident of this city to the present time save for a period of six years. Five years of that time was spent in Forrest, Illinois, as foreman of the shops of the Wabash Railroad Company at that place and for about a year he was located in Van Wert. Ohio, as foreman of the railroad roundhouse there. He then returned to this city to enter the service of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad, with which he remained for an extended period, and at length became foreman of the Peoria & Pekin Union boiler shops. A year later he became journeyman boiler maker for the Rock Island Railroad, in which connection he continued until he was called to his present position in 1908, Mayor Woodruff recognizing his ability in ap- pointing him city boiler inspector for Peoria. His long and varied experience in boiler shops and in connection with boiler making well qualified him for the duties that devolved upon him in this connection.
Mr. Owen was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Royster, of Peoria, and unto them have been born seven children. William B., the eldest son, is an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad. The other members of the family are : Clara, Lulu, Harry, who has been an engineer for the Illinois Central Railway for three years : Fannie : John, who is a molder ; and Julia. Mr. Owen gives his political support to the republican party, of which he has always been an advo- cate since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and in all matters of citizenship is as true and loyal to the country as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. He is a self-made man and whatever success he has achieved in life is attributable to his own labors and enterprise, for he started out empty-handed and has worked his way upward through industry, perseverance and determination.
OMAR A. MORRIS.
Omar A. Morris is superintendent of the rectifying house of Clark Brothers & Company, which firm owns the largest whiskey distillery in the world, its location being at the foot of Pecan street. He has been a resident of Peoria since 1901, coming to this city from St. Louis, Missouri, to accept his present position. He was born near another of the important cities of the Mississippi valley, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Indianapolis, Indiana, April 27, 1856. His parents, Hugh Innis and Rebecca L. ( Ferree) Morris, were both natives of Kentucky but in childhood went to Indiana where they were reared. The father became a farmer by occupation and following his marriage engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account, so that Omar A. Morris was reared on the home farm in Indiana until he reached the age of fifteen years. He then accompanied his parents on their removal westward to a farm near Kansas City, Missouri, where both his father and mother spent their remaining days, passing away only a few years after their arrival in that section of the country.
Omar A. Morris supplemented his public-school education, acquired in Indiana, by a course of study in a business college of Kansas City. He then became a clerk for the Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad at that place and later entered the employ of the Kansas City Distilling Company in connection with the rectifying house in which he remained from 1881 until 1894. During that period of thirteen years he thoroughly mastered the business in principle and
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detail and with his comprehensive knowledge of the work went to St. Louis, Missouri, to become superintendent of the rectifying house of the Mound City Distilling Company. He was associated therewith until 1901, when he left St. Louis to come to Peoria and accept his present position as superintendent of - the rectifying house of the world's largest whiskey distillery, owned by Clark Brothers & Company. He has carefully systematized the work of the depart- ment, gives general supervision thereto and has introduced some of the most improved processes known in whiskey manufacture. Because of the extent of the business his position is a most onerous and responsible one but he proves himself entirely adequate to the demands made upon his time and energies.
Mr. Morris was married in 1885 to Miss Martha Shepherd, of Kansas City, and they have one child, Alma, who is the wife of H. N. Buckley, of Oak Park, Illinois. He is especially well known in Masonic circles. He joined the craft after coming to this city and has attained high honors in the order, serving in I9II as eminent commander of the Peoria Commandery of the Knight Templars. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and is in hearty sympathy with the principles and teachings of the craft. His business associates find him enegetic, determined and resourceful and his Masonic brethren and his social acquaint- ances place him high in their regard because of the sterling traits of his man- hood and his citizenship.
WILLIAM H. TRIEBEL.
It has been well said that the architectural beauty of Peoria commands the unqualified admiration of every visitor to our city, come they from the metro- politan centers of our own country or be they wayfarers from the older coun- tries of Europe. The solid masses of brick and mortar that greet the eye upon every side of our commercial thoroughfares; the gigantic structures and monu- ments of granite and marble that raise their proud heads heavenward; the palatial mansions and stone fronts of the avenues ; the residences of our bankers, professional men and merchant princes, adorned and beautified with every sur- rounding that a cultivated taste and large wealth could suggest or command, all combine to arrest the attention and excite the amazement of those who behold them. To the men from whose brains and artistic taste much of this beauty has emanated, much praise is due. In this connection may be mentioned Wil- liam H. Triebel, whose reputation as a sculptor and monument builder and marble worker is as wide-spread as that of any man in the state.
He was born in the city of Peoria, December 8, 1858, a son of Otto Triebel, deceased, the biographical record of whose life appears on another page in these volumes. He attended the German school on Second street for six years and was also a student in the public schools of this city. When he put aside his text-books he entered his father's marble works and gained practical knowledge of the business in all departments. He became specially skilled in hand carv- ing. In 1887 he was admitted to partnership under the firm style of Triebel & Sons and so continued until 1911, when he disposed of his interest to his brother Henry and started upon an independent business career. His work sustains the high reputation for sculpture which the family has long borne. Their ef- forts far transcend the work of mere monument builders and embrace the artistic qualities and the excellence of workmanship shown in fine sculpture. The reputation and long experience of W. H. Triebel have been the factors which have won him immediate recognition and substantial success since he started in business independently. His motto is, and ever has been "Progress." No visionary dream of impossibilities fill his mind, but practical in all his ideas, he builds up as he journeys through life, benefiting his fellowmen, and seeking
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