USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 38
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Hazel Marcy, sewing.
*A. P. Laughlin, supervisor, manual training.
*Carl Graner, supervisor of physical culture.
*Florence Stackhouse, assistant of physical culture.
*Clara Dailey, supervisor of music.
Joanna M. Irish, secretary and librarian.
*Part time.
Alumni Association.
In June 1911, the alumni association was formed with Walter Stephenson as president.
HON. NICHOLAS E. WORTHINGTON.
Hon. Nicholas E. Worthington, judge of the circuit court at Peoria, is of English extraction, the entire Worthington family in America being descended from two brothers, one of whom settled in New England, and the other in Maryland. His father, the Rev. G. J. Worthington, was a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Born in Maryland, he resided at different times in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, devoting his entire life to the work of the church. He wedded Mary I. Hedges and they became the parents of two sons and four daughters.
Nicholas E. Worthington was born March 30, 1836, in Brooks county, West Virginia. He accompanied his parents on their various removals according to the itinerant custom of the Methodist Episcopal ministry, residing at different times in Allegheny City, in Pittsburg and at Clarksburg, Virginia. In the last named he attended college and later matriculated in Allegheny College at Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1854, winning first honors in that year. He afterward engaged in teaching in an academy at Clarksburg, Virginia, and then entered the law office of Waitman T. Willett. In 1856 he came to Illinois and began teaching in Tremont, Tazewell county, and
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was appointed county superintendent of schools. He retired from the teacher's profession to enter upon the active practice of law in Peoria and has since been identified with the bar.
Judge Worthington has always been more or less actively identified with educational interests. For four years he was a member of the board of public instruction. In 1872 he was a candidate for congress and in 1882 was again the nominee of his party, being elected a representative of his district in the national halls of legislation. At the close of his first term he was reelected and after four years' congressional service returned to Peoria to resume the practice of law. Soon afterward he was elected judge of the circuit court and is still upon the bench, being now dean of the judiciary of Peoria. President Cleveland named him as a member of the commission to settle the famous rail- road strike in Chicago, on which occasion the president aroused the opposition of Governor Altgeld, who objected to the United States troops being sent to Illinois. Judge Worthington served with distinction as one of the arbitrators at that critical period and on other occasions, perhaps of a less public character, his opinions have carried weight in political councils.
In 1856 Judge Worthington married Miss Sarah Fowkes, a daughter of Colonel Richard Fowkes, of West Virginia, and they have three children, Louis B., Nellie and Frank E., the last named being a resident of the west.
PROFESSOR ALFRED WADLEIGH BEASLEY.
Professor Alfred Wadleigh Beasley, principal of the Central high school of Peoria, was born in Ripley, Ohio, March 27. 1853, a son of Nathaniel K. and Susan H. (Wadleigh) Beasley. The father was born in Decatur, Ohio, April 4, 1828, and the mother's birth occurred in Oxford, Ohio, September 22, 1830. The former was a son of Alfred and Margaret (Kirker) Beasley, who were natives of Ohio, and Alfred Beasley was a son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Sutton) Beasley, natives of Virginia. The great-grandparents of Professor Beasley in the maternal line were John and Susan Wadleigh, natives of Scotland. Their son, Thomas Jefferson Wadleigh, was born in Watertown, New York, and married Sophia Easton, a native of Oxford, Ohio.
The removal of the family from the Buckeye state to Peoria during the early boyhood of Professor Beasley enabled him to pursue his education in the schools of this city and in 1870 he was graduated from the high school. He then entered Dartmouth College and upon his graduation four years later ranked first in his class in mathematics and fourth in general standing. During the succeeding four years he was connected with the firms of Beasley Brothers and Steele Brothers in the saddlery and hardware business, and in 1878 he began teaching in an ungraded school in South Peoria. A year later he was transferred to the Peoria high school as instructor in mathematics and sciences and later was made principal of the old Franklin school. He was subsequently appointed principal of the Peoria high school, which position he still continues to fill. For twenty-five years he has been at the head of this school and he is recognized as one of the prominent educators of the west. his service being fre- quently sought in connection with educational conventions, before which he has delivered many addresses. He stands as one of those whose study of pedagogy in its broadest sense has resulted in marked improvement in methods of teach- ing ; his zeal and interest in the work are unabating and he inspires teachers and pupils under him with much of his own interest. His ideals are very high and he stands for that real progressiveness which recognizes that which is of value in the past while laboring for advancement in the future.
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On the 29th of November, 1876, Professor Beasley was married to Miss Mary Ramsay, who was born June 6, 1856. They became parents of four children : Robert K., who is now deceased; Frederick E .; Alfred F .; and Jules de La- barthe. Professor Beasley is a Congregationalist in religious faith. He has always recognized the fact that there should be an even balance between the physical, intellectual and moral progress and in his teaching he has endeavored to stimulate an interest in each that would lead to direct and beneficial results.
PETER A. WEAST.
If one were called upon to name a typical business man of Peoria better selection could not be made than by naming Peter A. Weast. He stands fore- most among those whose sound judgment and enterprise have led to success and he is today familiar to all Peoria citizens as one of the most successful real- estate dealers here. Yet he is more than a business man; his interests are broad and varied and all those things which draw the traveler abroad-the works of art and the points of historic and modern interest-claim his attention and keep him in touch with the world's thought and work.
Mr. Weast is a native of Peoria, Illinois, born on April 5, 1848. Early in life he began his investments in realty, holding property until it advanced in price and when he was able to sell it at a good figure he still invested the re- turns in real estate and is today rated as one of the most wealthy of Peoria citizens. It is his advice always to make investment in property rather than along other lines, and he has proven his faith in Peoria by making his investments here. He has owned some of the most valuable properties on South Jefferson avenue and on Fulton street. Whenever he has had a chance to sell advanta- geously he has done so, but a sale has usually been almost immediately followed by the purchase of adjacent property.
Mr. Weast was married August 16, 1887, to Miss Jennie Grunden, and they have a daughter, Maud, now Mrs. Claude Wallin. The home of Mr. Weast is a splendid residence, built in an attractive style of architecture and supplied in the way of furnishings with all that wealth can secure and refined taste can suggest. He takes his pleasure largely in fine horses and in good automobiles. of which he owns a number, and his wife and daughter are also skillful horsewomen. They all enjoy travel and have made a number of trips abroad, hunting out quaint, out-of-the-way places or sojourning in the cities as their desires of the moment dictate. While Mr. Weast has gained large wealth through his real- estate operations he has been generous in assisting others, especially the young man who is trying to make a start, and he has also given freely of his means to charitable projects.
FRANK T. MILLER.
The life record of Frank T. Miller is another indication of the fact that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of necessity that the strongest and best in man are brought out and developed. Hampered by lack of early opportunities, Mr. Miller resolved that he would advance despite all this and the consensus of public opinion places him today among Peoria's capable and foremost lawyers. He was born in Muehlheim, near Cologne, in the Rhine Province, Germany, January 1, 1873, his parents being Theodore D. and Clara A. Miller, who were also natives of the same province. He was nine and a half years of age when his parents, in July, 1882, came to America, bring-
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ing with them their family of six children to whom five more were added in this country. The father was a carpenter and when he worked steadily at his trade earned about fifty dollars per month. According to the laws of his native country he was forced to render military service in the German army and had been on active duty during the Franco-Prussian war. When the family arrived in America they had absolutely nothing in the way of money or furniture or the barest neccessities of life. Not one of the household could speak a word of English and Frank Miller says that it has ever remained a puzzle to him how the family obtained a start. Ile himself often experienced unfair treat- ment at the hands of the boys of the neighborhood, his inability to understand English bringing upon him many a knockdown blow from a boy who wished to try his strength, before Mr. Miller knew what was wanted. He had had three years' training in the schools of Germany and was sent to school in this country, spending three years in the ward schools in Champaign and Blooming- ton, but when twelve years of age he was forced to put aside his text-books and provide for his own support. He secured a situation in a drug store, washing windows, bottles, floors, etc., working twelve hours per day, for which a dollar and a quarter was paid into the family fund each week. By the time he was fourteen he was earning two dollars a week in a dry-goods store. Realizing the fact that he had been taken out of school permanently he resolved to seek education along other lines and began selling Sunday papers, having, however, an understanding with his father that the money so earned should go for violin les- sons. His Sunday task proved to be a profitable one and his constant practice on the violin at all leisure hours won him such rapid advancement that at the age of sixteen years he was playing in a theater for experience. When eighteen years of age he was in demand as a musician and at twenty had become a recog- nized factor in musical circles in his home city. He had also made substantial advance in the stores in which he had been continuously employed but his vio- lin in the evenings brought him as much or more than his regular wages in the store.
His earlier dreams for a higher education now began to take form and, leav- ing the store, he entered a law school, hoping to earn enough with the violin at night to meet the expenses of his course. He had been out of school for more than eight years and in consequence did not know how to study. For a time it was uphill work, his earlier examinations proving his incapacity in that direction, but at the end of two years he stood second in the class in examina- tions covering the entire course and drew a cash prize. The income from his music had steadily increased and enabled him to pursue a two years' special literary course, after which he spent a year in a law office. He won his LL.B. degree from the Illinois Wesleyan University in 1896 and completed his two years' special literary work in 1898. For twelve years he has been a resident of Peoria. In May, 1899, he opened a law office with Judson Starr and on the Ist of March, 1900, entered into a partnership with Daniel R. Sheen under the firm name of Sheen & Miller. When he located in Peoria he resolved to give up music except for the pleasure of it and concentrate his efforts upon his law practice without any side issues, especially resolving not to become actively connected with politics. During the first year of his practice he made very slow progress and was obliged to live most economically, but his determination and ability won in the end and his success has far exceeded his fondest expecta- tions. His partnership with Mr. Sheen continued until July 1, 1909, when he joined John S. Stevens and J. M. Elliott, in a partnership under the firm name of Stevens, Miller & Elliott, succeeding W. S. Horton, who had previously been with them in the practice of law. The firm is today one of the strongest of the Peoria bar and has a large and distinctively representative clientage. As Mr. Miller has prospered in his undertakings he has become interested in city busi- ness and residence properties and is a stockholder in the Illinois National Bank.
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He is attorney for several Peoria banks and is local attorney for many railroad and other corporations. He was appointed public administrator of Peoria county by Governor Yates in 1901, was reappointed by Governor Deneen in 1905 and again in 1909. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican and did active campaign work in 1900 and 1904. For a considerable period after entering upon practice, however, he did not engage actively in politics but his qualities of leadership and his deep interest concerning the government of city, state and nation have naturally forced him into more intimate and active relations with political affairs.
On the 16th of September, 1903, in Peoria, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage to Miss Lillian Bruce Morgan, a daughter of H. B. Morgan. Mrs. Miller is an exceptional pianist. She studied for four years in Chicago and Berlin, her instructors being Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler, Leopold Godowski and Xavier Scharwenka. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two daughters: Jeannette M., born in 1906; and Lillian Bruce, September 8, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are very prominent in social circles, particularly where music is a leading attraction and source of interest. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and hield all the offices in the lodge from 1901 until 1904. Since the latter year he has been connected with the Knights of Khorassan and has always been a member of the dramatic team. He likewise belongs to Schiller Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he is now holding office. In more strictly social and recreative lines he is connected with the Creve Coeur Club and the Kickapoo Golf Club. Never fearing to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way, never faltering when determination and courage could overcome difficulties and obsta- cles, never hesitating to make attempt to reach high ideals and to occupy a place of prominence, Frank T. Miller has continuously advanced since starting out in life on his own account at the age of twelve years, and is today numbered among the foremost citizens of Peoria in political. social and professional lines.
DR. J. F. COOPER.
J. F. Cooper, physician and surgeon, who entered upon the practice of medi- cine in Peoria in 1903, was born on a farm in Christian county, Kentucky, June 21, 1853, his parents being Hugh C. and Elizabeth A. (Mckenzie) Cooper, who were farming people of that district. Upon the old homestead the son was reared, and after attending the district schools he had the advantage of academic instruction taking a course in LaFayette Academy in his native state. He took up the profession of teaching which he followed for four years in his home county and thus provided the funds necessary to meet the expenses of a course in a medical college. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, and was graduated in 1880. Immediately afterward he entered upon active practice, spending eighteen months in Bennettstown, Ken- tucky. He then came to Illinois, settling in Elinwood, Peoria county, where he remained in active practice for twenty-one years or until he came to the city of Peoria. He was successful in Elmwood and has enjoyed an even more exten- sive practice in Peoria for his labors have found recognition here, his fellow practitioners as well as the general public acknowledging his skill and ability. He allows nothing to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties, and the years have brought him substantial success.
On September 17, 1884, in Elmwood, Dr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Lois M. Brown, a daughter of E. R. Brown of that place and a former banker prominently known as "the sage of Elmwood." Three children were born to this marriage: Marilla E., who is a graduate of Elmwood high school, the Bradley Polytechnic Institute and the Oberlin College of Oberlin, Ohio, and
DR. J. F. COOPER
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is now a teacher in the high school of this city ; Hugh E., who is also a graduate of the Peoria high school, the Bradley Polytechnic Institute and of the Uni- versity of Chicago in the class of 1911, while at present he is a student in the Rush Medical College of Chicago; and Ruth L., who completed a course in the Bradley Polytechnic Institute and is now a student in the Northwestern Uni- versity at Evanston.
While a resident of Elmwood Dr. Cooper served as president of the school board for several years, and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and stalwart champion, as is indicated by the liberal advantages given his children. He was also local health officer there for several years. He holds membership in the Congregational church. He belongs to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Creve Coeur Club, and his profes- sional connections are with the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has held to high standards in his profession, has sought public welfare in his indorsement of progressive public measures and at all times has endeavored to conform his life to those principles which make for honorable manhood.
JOHN WILLIAM LITTLE.
John William Little was known as one of the leading landowners of central Illinois, for as he prospered in his undertakings he placed his capital in the safest of all investments-real estate. He was born in Hampshire county, West Vir- ginia, January 13, 1832, and lacked but one day of being seventy-eight years of age at the time of his death on the 12th of January, 1910. His parents were David C. and Anna (Harrison) Little, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Devonshire, England. The paternal grandfather was George Little, who was born in Scotland and after coming to America wedded a Miss Carlyle, who was born in Pennsylvania. In the maternal line John W. Little came of distinctively English ancestry, his grandfather being Robert Harrison, a native of Devonshire.
In the schools of his native state John W. Little pursued his education. Like many another young man he felt he might have better opportunities in a district removed from that in which he was reared and he wisely chose Peoria county as the scene in his future labors, reaching the city of Peoria on the 23d of March, 1853. The following day he located at Princeville, in Princeville township, where he purchased land and began farming, successfully cultivating his fields which year by year yielded good harvests .. He afterward spent ten years in farming in Iowa, but later returned to Illinois and was closely associated with agricultural interests in this state until 1899, in which year he located in Peoria. By strict attention to business, economy and industry he added con- tinually to his possessions, and became in time the owner of one thousand acres of valuable farm land which yielded him a most gratifying annual income. In 1899 he retired from active life save for the supervision which he gave to his property, his holdings comprising both town and country real estate in and near Princeville and Peoria.
On the 28th of March, 1855, occurred the marriage of Mr. Little and Miss Harriet Harrison, a daughter of James and Susan ( Evans) Harrison, who were natives of England, and upon coming to America became residents of Virginia. Subsequently they removed westward to Peoria, and in the early period of his residence in this part of the state the father followed farming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Little were born four children, of whom Susan L. and Marion are deceased. The others are Lillie and Henry G., still residents of Peoria.
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In his political views Mr. Little was a democrat. He studied the questions and issues of the day with the purpose of casting an intelligent ballot in sup- port of the principles which he deemed of most value in good government, but he never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. In Masonry he attained high rank, taking the thirty-second degree in the consistory and also becoming a member of the Mystic Shriners. He was likewise a member of the Odd Fellows for many years, and in his life exemplified the beneficent and help- ful spirit of these fraternities. In citizenship he was loyal, in friendship faith- ful, and in his home was a most devoted husband and father. His long life was an active, useful and honorable one, and was crowned with a success which re- wards earnest effort, keen discrimination and judicious investment. The pleasure of his success largely came to him through the fact that it enabled him to provide liberally for the members of his own household.
MAX NEWMAN.
When Max Newman died in this city on May 8, 1906, the state of Illinois lost one of its pioneer residents, and the city of Peoria an upright, high-minded and sterling citizen and a thoroughly honest man. Max Newman's career was an exemplification of those qualities of character and heart which are the founda- tion of our national citizenship, and he left to his family the glorious tradition of an upright life and an honorable career. His descendants in Peoria today take pride in striving to attain his standards, and to live according to his ideals.
Max Newman was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1834, and while still a resident of his native land, was appointed assistant United States consul for that kingdom by President Pierce. He came to America in 1856, going immediately to Chicago, where he obtained a position as bookkeeper in a wholesale house and remained there until 1859. when he came to Peoria and entered into partnership with Harry Ullman, as a jobber of cigars and tobacco. They organized the business under the firm name of Newman & Ullman, under which name it continues today. It is one of the oldest original firms in the city, and is under the active management of Mr. Milton G. Newman, son of the subject of this sketch. It is doing an extensive and rapidly growing cigar and tobacco business in the Two Hundred block, South Washington street, and the qualities of strict business integrity, honesty and fair dealing, which were the com- mercial standards of the father, have been handed down in honorable tradition to his son.
Max Newman lived in America at a time when history was being made here. When the Civil war broke out in 1860, Mr. Newman was prevented from entering the service on account of his diminutive size, but his strict sense of duty and his loyalty to his adopted country, would not allow him to take advantage of this fact, and he paid a substitute eight hundred dollars to go in his place. Mr. New- man's loyal democratic political principles at that time brought him into personal contact with Stephen A. Douglas, and he became a warm friend of that mighty leader. His friendship with Robert G. Ingersoll is also a matter of record. Mr. Newman remained in the democratic party until 1896, when his convictions changed and he voted for McKinley, having differed with his democratic brethren on the currency question.
On February 21, 1864, Max Newman was married in Peoria to Miss Rebecca Ullman, and to this union were born four sons and one daughter. Mr. New- man was a member of Schiller Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was entirely in- terested in the affairs of the Peoria Public Library. He was also one of the organizers of the Cottage Hospital, now the John C. Proctor Hospital, was its first secretary and remained so up to the time of his death. He was a worthy
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representative of the true type of an honorable and upright Jew, well versed in the history and tribulations of his race, and living according to the customs and decrees of his religion. He was a member of the congregation of Anshai Emeth of which he was an officer and a devout attendant up to the time of his death. He was interested in all kinds of benevolent and charitable work, and is remembered today by many of his less fortunate brethren whom he helped along. The record of his life is the story of a worthy and honorable business career, of a life filled with the practice of many public and private virtues, and of a faith in the innate honesty of the world. kept green and alive by his unbounded charity, and his broad and high-minded character.
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