USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 39
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IRA J. COVEY.
Ira J. Covey, now a member of the Illinois state legislature from Peoria county, is well known in this city as a brilliant lawyer and a rising politician. He is a firm believer in republican principles and is at present beginning to be a power in the state as a leader in the republican party. His law offices in Peoria are in the Woolner building, where he carries on a general practice when his public duties allow him. He was born in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, October 26, 1873. Three generations of Coveys have been residents of this state. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Stephen Covey, came to Illi- nois in 1839, and located in Boone county, where the father of Ira J. Covey was born.
Our subject spent his early boyhood in Belvidere and went to the public schools of that city. He later attended the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1893. His legal education was obtained under Judge Charles E. Fuller of Belvidere, Illinois, and he was admitted to the bar in 1893. Later he came to Peoria, and entered upon the general practice of law, in association with his brother, Frank R. Covey. In 1901 Frank Covey retired. and the firm was reorganized, with P. E. Mann as a partner, under the name of Covey, Mann & Covey. This arrangement lasted for one year, when Mr. Mann retired and the firm again became Covey & Covey. Upon the election of Ira J. Covey to the legislature in 1910 George Campbell of Peoria entered the firm, and it became Covey. Campbell & Covey. They have offices in the Woolner building of this city, and are doing a flourishing business in all branches of law. Ever since he first entered upon active life, Ira J. Covey has shown a decided predilection for the duties of a political career. He is a stirring speaker, actively interested for the improvement of conditions, and can always be depended upon to cast his vote on the right side in a political controversy. He served for five years as a member of the republican central committee for Peoria township, and later was active on the county and city committees. In April, 1907, he was elected to the Peoria city council, of which body he was the recognized leader on the republican side. He served in this body until after his election to the legislature in 1910, and has served the public in that capacity ever since. Ira J. Covey is not a mere partisan politician. He is an intelligent, active and broad-minded man, keenly desirous of doing his best toward the promotion of good and efficient government. He is a man of high ideals, and lofty prin- ciples, and is a practical agent of good in his chosen field of activity. In his career in the state legislature he has shown himself to be a man of independence, a believer in righteous causes, and as good a politician as he is a lawyer.
On June 27, 1899, Ira J. Covey was united in marriage to Miss Alta F. Lin- nell, and they became the parents of four children : Linnell, Marion, Ira J., junior and Thirza E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Covey are well known socially in Peoria and
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are prominent members of the Union Congregational church. Mr. Covey is still a young man and comparatively new in political activity, but he has already made his presence felt in the circles in which he moves, and his political efforts, and aspirations as well as his public accomplishments have that dignity of honest purpose, and the commanding weight of high and unswerving independence, which is true statesmanship.
HERMAN GUSTAVE TRAUTVETTER.
Herman Gustave Trautvetter is another of those sterling citizens, which Germany has given to the new world. Although he himself was a native Peorian, his father was born in the fatherland, and brought to the new country the sturdy and common-sense virtues which are the foundations of the greatness of the old. Herman G. Trautvetter is at present head of the Peoria Collection Agency, and is doing a very successful business along that line, yet the great love and ambi- tion of his life lies in the direction of music. He is an accomplished pianist, and has gained a reputation through Illinois for his brilliant and original musical compositions.
Herman G. Trautvetter was born in Peoria, July 22, 1873, in an old house on Chestnut street back of the historic old Ballance property. His father, Chris- tian Trautvetter was a native of Germany, and an old time Peoria pioneer. He was passionately fond of music, and an accomplished piano and violin player, attainments which he transmitted to his son. His wife, Ernestine Nitschke, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Herman Trautvetter received his early education in the grade schools of Peoria, and later attended Herr Peter Iffland's school, where he obtained quite a repu- tation for his proficiency in German and mathematics. At the age of twenty- one, pursuing his growing ambition for a musical career, he went to Chicago, where for some time he studied in Kimball Hall, showing remarkable talent upon the piano. It was during this period that he did most of his composing, pub- lishing a great number of instrumental compositions, and gaining a reputation throughout Illinois as a musician of rare originality and ability. Herman Traut- vetter is a true lover of music, and his fondness for the art is based upon an expert knowledge of its technique and a keen appreciation of its beauties. The musical profession lost a man of brilliant talent, and a composer of more than ordinary ability, when Mr. Trautvetter was obliged to leave its ranks. There was, however, sufficient cause for his desertion of a profession, where the keen- est interest and ambition of his life lay. When he finished his musical course in Chicago, Mr. Trautvetter returned to Peoria, with the purpose of gaining his livelihood by teaching music, and of devoting his spare time to original com- position. But no pupils came, and activity in musical lines seemed to be at a standstill in this city. Mr. Trautvetter spent two months, hoping against hope, and then realizing that he must devote his time to more lucrative employment, he entered the collecting business, in which he has been engaged since that time. His first position was with the firm of the F. H. Putnam Coal Company, who hired him for twenty dollars a month to collect their outstanding accounts. He did such good work, and had such quick success in this line, that it was not long before he added Dr. T. J. McIlvaine to his list of clients and during the next three months made a remarkable record as a quick and efficient collector. He soon established a collection agency on his own account, known as the Peoria Collection Agency, and his success since that time has been quick and sure. Mr. Trautvetter is now at the head of the largest agency of its kind in the city, and his rapid rise in the business is undoubtedly due to his personal qualities of energy, politeness, and hard work. His list of clients is large, and embraces
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every business, trade and profession, in the city. Mr. Trautvetter has not let this success interfere in any way with his love for music, and he retains all his old-time proficiency as an instrumentalist and composer. What the musical world lost when Mr. Trautvetter left it. the business world of Peoria gained.
WILLIS P. CONRAD.
Willis P. Conrad, who since the 5th of July, 1911, has held the office of sewer superintendent for the city of Peoria, and is well known as an active worker in republican ranks, was here born in 1873 and is a representative of one of the old families of Cincinnati. His grandfather. Jacob Conrad, started out at an early age and his father, William Conrad, who was born in Ohio, came to Cincinnati in young manhood. He married Miss Lizzie Schuers, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of three children, two daughters and a son : Margaret, now deceased : Anna, the wife of J. H. Monroe ; and Willis P.
Spending his youthful days in his parent's home the son pursued his education in the public schools and in Brown's Business College, in which he pursued a commercial course. He then joined his father, who was engaged in the street sprinkling business, and was so engaged for about twelve years, after which he retired although his father continued in the same line. Willis P. Conrad then became connected with the Onken Laundry Company, but severed his relations therewith to take up the duties of his present position as sewer superintendent for the city of Peoria, to which office he was appointed on the 5th of July, 1911. He is doing excellent work in this connection and it is an important part of the service-how important no one can realize save those whose scientific knowledge gives them an understanding of the fiends of disease which might be let loose upon the community were the work inadequately performed. Mr. Conrad's ap- pointment came to him through a republican administration. He has always been a stalwart advocate of the principles of the party, an active worker in its ranks and for years was a committeeman from the fourth ward.
In 1898 occurred the marriage of Mr. Conrad and Miss Susie Hixtable, of Peoria, a daughter of John Hixtable, a contractor of that city. Unto them have been born three children, Harvey, Willis and Rhea. The family attend the Con- gregational church and Mr. Conrad holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. That his life has been well spent has been indicated by the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
ILLINOIS FREE EMPLOYMENT BUREAU.
The Illinois Free Employment Bureau has been an institution in Peoria for many years, and has done wonderful work along its lines of activity, giving employment free of expense to many thousands of working men and women every year. It is in charge of John W. Kimsey as superintendent, and Peter Lulay as assistant superintendent. Both are Peorians of many years' residence and are well known in various circles in this city.
The office at Peoria was established eleven years ago, and has done remark- able work according to the recent annual report. Of the six offices in the state of Illinois, Peoria proportionately has done its full share and has rendered aid to hundreds of worthy applicants for suggested employment, and has materially benefited hundreds of employers who desired labor of an efficient type. It has often supplied employers with a large number of helpers on remarkably short
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notice. There is no underestimating the work of these employment bureaus under state direction and control, and enough can never be said of the good accomplished at the office in Peoria, under the charge of Mr. John Kimsey and Mr. Peter Lulay.
From Mr. Kimsey's ninth annual report for the year ending September 30, 1909. the following figures are interesting: The total expenses of the bureau for the year ending September 30, 1909, were only $1.358.13. At this small expense, the bureau secured positions for forty-six thousand, five hundred and fifty-six men, out of fifty-two thousand, two hundred and sixteen who filed applications for employment. The number of male applications filed and left unfilled, was only five thousand, six hundred and sixty. Forty-nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-seven men filed applications for help with the bureau during the year, and at the end of 1909, only two thousand, seven hundred and eighty-one were left unaided. Out of a total file of nineteen thousand, three hundred and eighty-three female applications for employment, the bureau filled sixteen thousand, one hundred and two positions, and left three thousand, two hundred and eighty-one unfilled. In the year ending September 30, 1909, nine- teen thousand, six hundred and nine women filed applications for help, of which all but three thousand, five hundred and seven were helped.
Mr. Kimsey, the superintendent of the Peoria bureau has been known for years as one of the county's leading public officials. He has resided in Peoria and Richwoods township, and recently served four years most acceptably as sheriff of Peoria county. He was appointed to his present position as superin- tendent of the Peoria bureau by Governor Deneen.
Peter Lulay, the assistant superintendent in the Peoria office, was born in this city, and is a young man of ability and energy. He served a term as alder- man in the Peoria city council. He holds his present position under appoint- ment of Governor Deneen of Illinois.
WARREN SUTLIFF.
Warren Sutliff is a member of the firm of Sutliff & Case Company, whole- sale druggists, secretary and treasurer of the Peoria Life Insurance Company, president of the Commercial Travelers Loan and Homestead Association of Peoria, and a director of the First National Bank and the Savings Bank of Peoria. He has resided in this city continuously since the 3Ist of August, 1875, and each succeeding year has marked his advancement in the business world,- for he has never feared to venture where opportunity has led the way nor failed to put forth the utmost possible effort at any given point of his career. He had no special advantages at the outset and in fact encountered some dif- ficulties and obstacles that do not fall to the lot of all. but notwithstanding these he has worked his way steadily upward and today occupies a conspicuous and honorable position as a foremost business man of his adopted city. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, July 1. 1848, and is a son of Theron and Emily (St. Clair) Sutliff, who at the time of the birth of their son Warren were living on the site of the present postoffice of Terre Haute. Their place, however, was then a farm. The boy was reared in that city and attended the local schools. Early in life he thought to become a physician and began the study of medicine, but after a short time changed his plans and entered the railroad service as an employe of the Vandalia Railroad Company. For fifteen years he remained on that road and on the Rock Island railroad, working his way upward to the position of passenger conductor. For eight years he ran out of Peoria over the Rock Island, coming to this city in 1875 and serving as passenger conductor for eight years, or until 1883. He was ambitious, how- ever, to enter a field of business that would give him broader opportunities and
WARREN SUTLIFF
THE NEW YOR PUBLIC LICA
ASTOR, LENUK -v .. TILDEN FOUNDA IVA
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in that year he turned his attention to the physicians' supply business, forming a partnership with M. W. Schultz in the establishment of the first enterprise of this kind in the United States. Their house was originally conducted under the firm style of M. W. Schultz & Company, at No. 118 North Adams street. After about two years Mr. Sutliff purchased his partner's interest and a year later, or in 1886, was joined by E. J. Case, forming the present firm of Sutliff & Case. Gradually they developed their enterprise into a wholesale drug busi- ness, which is one of the most important undertakings of this character in Illi- nois. The growth of the trade has resulted from their progressive enterprise and reliable business methods, and success in this undertaking has enabled Mr. Sutliff to extend his efforts along other lines, all of which have profited by his cooperation. He is now well known in the insurance field as secretary and treasurer of the Peoria Life Insurance Company and also operates in financial circles as president of the Commercial Travelers' Loan Association of Peoria, and as a director of the First National Bank and the Savings Bank of Peoria. Nor is he unknown in industrial circles, for he is president of the Best Manu- facturing Company, owners of a large planing mill. He is forceful and re- sourceful in business and whenever one avenue of opportunity seems closed seeks out another path which leads to the desired goal.
Mr. Sutliff was married in Peoria to Miss Bessie F. MacLee, of this city, where she was born and reared. Her father was a potter by trade. Mr. Sutliff is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank. He has reached the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite, the thirty-second degree in the consistory and is now potentate of Mohammed Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a past commander of Peoria commandery and is recognized as one of the prominent representatives of the fraternity in this city and widely known in the order throughout the state. He belongs to the Creve Coeur Club and the Illinois Valley Yacht Club-organizations which indicate something of the nature of his interests and recreations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has twice represented the fourth ward on the board of aldermen. He is also one of the board of directors of the Peoria Association of Commerce, in which connection he is doing effective work for the benefit, upbuilding and improvement of the city and the exploitation of its resources. It is a well known fact that exercise and effort develop power and thus it has been in the business career of Mr. Sutliff. He has found in the faithful performance of each day's duties the strength and courage for the labors of the succeeding day and out of the struggle with small opportunities he has come finally into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness.
JOHN A. ONYUN.
Peoria claims John A. Onyun as a citizen, although he is at present a resident of Washington, D. C., where he occupies the position of proofreader in the Government Printing Office. Mr. Onyun has always been prominent in trade circles of Peoria county, and has been actively identified with the printing busi- ness in different capacities since 1865. He was born September 24. 1849, in Greenbush ( now Rensselaer ), New York, the son of Addison and Mary Onyun. His father was born in West Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1812, and his mother was a native of Ireland, John Onyun's education was begun in the public schools of New York, and when his family removed to Illinois, it was continued in the schools of that state. He learned the printing trade and commenced work at it in June, 1865, at Lacon, Illinois. He temporarily abandoned the business in July, 1873, to become a letter carrier at Peoria, in which occupation he con- tinued until November 15. 1886. He was connected with the publication of one daily and a weekly paper in this state.
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Mr. Onyun takes an intelligent interest in his trade, and for many years was prominently connected with its various organizations. He was successively vice president, chairman of the executive committee, recording secretary, financial secretary, treasurer and secretary-treasurer of the Peoria Typographical Union, No. 29, and from these positions he advanced to active participation in the af- fairs of the state organization, holding the position of secretary-treasurer of the Illinois State Typographical Union for thirteen years. He resigned this office to take a position in the Government Printing Office in Washington, D. C., in 1901, where he has since been employed.
Mr. Onyun is a republican in politics and holds membership in the Republican Club of Washington, D. C. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and holds membership in the Loyal Americans of the Republic.
Mr. Onyun was married in Peoria, December 25, 1873, to Miss Lucie A. Burns, a daughter of David Burns of this city. Mrs. Onyun was a native of Peoria, having been born here in 1851. Her father came to this city from Colum- bus county, Ohio, in the early '40s, and is still living here at the ripe old age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Onyun's mother was a native of England, who came to Peoria in 1835. Mr. Onyun and his wife are the parents of four children : Jessie A., the wife of John T. Moran, a contractor of Peoria; Clarence A., who married Anna Hubbell, and is living in Washington, D. C .; Archie R., now in charge of the news bureau for the Washington (D. C.) Times, at Alexandria, Virginia ; and Rolla G., a graduate of the Mckinley Manual Training School of Washington.
Mr. Onyun is a printer, thoroughly acquainted with the details of his trade, and standing high in the esteem of his colaborers. He has applied his native intelligence to the mastery of his chosen occupation, and his success is evidenced in the position which he now occupies in the government employ.
COLONEL S. O. TRIPP.
Military circles are well represented in Peoria by Colonel S. O. Tripp, now an assistant quartermaster general in the Illinois National Guard, with which he has been prominently connected since December 1, 1878. Colonel Tripp has been identified with military affairs in this state and in the United States army during all of his active life, and is well known in this city as a kindly, courageous and patriotic man. He was born in Cooperstown, New York, November 8, 1860, and his military career began when he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Infantry, Illinois National Guards, then known as the Veteran Light Guards, on Decem- ber 1, 1878. He retained his connection with this organization until 1882, serv- ing his last year 1881-1882 as ordnance sergeant of the Seventh regiment. He en- listed in the United States army, Company K, Fourth United States Infantry in 1882, and remained until February 27, 1887, when he received his honorable discharge at Fort Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after five years' service, during which he had participated in some very interesting campaigns on the western frontier where the Indian tribes were at that time in an unsettled and more or less troublesome condition.
After his discharge from the United States army, Colonel Tripp returned to Peoria, and on June 1, 1887, organized Company L, Fifth Infantry, Illinois Na- tional Guard, and was mustered into the service of the state, as captain of that organization, in which capacity, he continued to serve until January 7, 1891, when he was elected and commissioned major of the Fifth Infantry, Illinois National Guard, in recognition of his signal and able services in the organiza- tion and upbuilding of the regiment. During his residence in Peoria Colonel Tripp has organized a mounted military troop called the Peoria Hussars. Colonel
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Tripp has always been interested in horseback riding, and this Hussar organiza- tion was an outgrowth of his love for that exercise. He resigned his commission as major of the Fifth Infantry, Illinois National Guard, to accept the position of Captain of his Peoria Hussars, and he continued to command this organization until it disbanded in 1898 in consequence of an act of the state legislature, which prohibited independent military organizations parading with arms, which were at that time more popular in the state than the organized militia.
On January 15, 1899: Governor John R. Tanner authorized Major S. O. Tripp to organize a troop of cavalry to become a part of the militia of the state of Illinois, and promised him such a troop for the city of l'eoria. This cavalry troop was mustered into the state service on June 15, 1899, as Troop G, First Cavalry, Illinois National Guard, with major Tripp as captain. He served in this capacity until June 1, 1903, when he was commissioned lieutenant colonel and chief inspector of rifle practice on the staff of Brigadier-General James B. Smith, who was then serving as adjutant general of the state of Illinois. Colonel Tripp continued in this position until July 6, 1906, when he voluntarily retired from the state service and was placed upon the retired list as lieutenant colonel. His retirement lasted only two years. Army life and military company called loudly to him and on January 31, 1908, he was again commissioned major and chief quartermaster on the staff of Brigadier-General Edward Kittilsen, the commanding general of the Third Brigade, and he continued to serve in this capacity until January 1, 1910, when he received the appointment as colonel and assistant quartermaster general, on the staff of Hon. Charles S. Deneen, governor of Illinois, a permanent position which placed him on duty in the office of the adjutant general at the state capitol, in charge of the supply department in issit- ing stores to the state troops and in custody of the war department documents, relative to arms and equipment. Colonel Tripp has made a record for efficiency and carefulness in this position, and his long military service and his personal contact with army conditions have made him peculiarly fitted to carry on the work.
Colonel Tripp is one of the organizers of the Regular Army and Navy Union of the United States, which is made up of enlisted men of both the United States Army and the United States Navy. The only requirement is that the candidate shall have served honorably in either the army or navy for five years or more. Colonel Tripp was twice elected senior vice national commander of this union, and was appointed by the commander in chief to make an inspection of all the organizations comprising the national command. This duty was ably performed during the season of 1894.
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