USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 40
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Colonel Tripp is a republican in politics and was for seventeen years a mem- ber of the executive committee of the republican county central committee of Peoria county. He was a delegate to the national conventions at Philadelphia which nominated President Mckinley and President Roosevelt, and was at the national convention at Chicago in the capacity of assistant sergeant at arms. At the inauguration of President Taft in Washington, March 4, 1909, Colonel Tripp was aide on the staff of the chief marshal. He has acted as delegate to state re- publican conventions on various occasions. Colonel Tripp is also prominent in local politics, was captain of police under Mayor Miles from 1893 to 1895, and criminal deputy sheriff in the office of the state's attorney of Peoria county from 1895 to 1898. He also held the office of deputy United States marshall in charge of the Southern division of the Northern district of Illinois for thirteen years, from January 1, 1898, to May 1, 1910. Fraternally Colonel Tripp is an active worker in the Uniform Rank of Odd Fellows, and has also filled the position as colonel of both the Third and Fourth Regiments of Patriot Militant and was vice president of the department council of that order. He is a member of the Peoria Lodge of Elks and is a past exalted ruler of that organization and a life member. He belongs to the Grand Lodge of Elks of the United States. He is prominent
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in the Creve Coeur Club and other social organizations in this city, and has hundreds of friends in Peoria, which his genial and upright character have won for him during his years of residence here.
In 1886 Colonel Tripp married Miss Pauline White and they became the parents of two children : one daughter, Almaretta E. Tripp, and one son, Alphonso E. Tripp. Colonel Tripp has made this city his permanent home since 1878, but he and his family are now residing temporarily in Springfield, Illinois, in fulfill- ment of the requirements of his present position, as assistant quartermaster general of the state of Illinois. Colonel Tripp, during his long term in the service of his country and state, has proved himself an able, active and energetic man, with a talent for organizing, building up and keeping together the men under his charge. He is a typical military man, proud of the army, dignifying his posi- tion in it, loyal to his state and loving his country as a true American should.
JOHN R. HILLIARD.
It has been said that "an honest man is the noblest work of God." Public opinion is agreed that few men have displayed a higher sense of business in- tegrity than John R. Hilliard, for at all times his commercial transactions were straightforward and honorable, no one ever losing a dollar through him. He was at one time quite largely interested in coal lands and there were periods of both prosperity and adversity in his life, but neither were allowed to warp his kindly nature or to lower his ideals. He was born June 8, 1818, in Piqua, Ohio, and died on the 5th of January, 1900. His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Reed) Hill- iard. The father was born in a log cabin in Piqua, Ohio, where his father had settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century, the family being pioneers of that locality and farming people closely identified with the agricultural devel- opment of that region.
John R. Hilliard acquired his early education in Piqua and later attended school in Cincinnati and in Philadelphia, where he studied civil engineering. He devoted his time to the mastery of that course until he attained his majority, when he returned home and became superintendent of railroad construction, building the first railroad between Columbus, Ohio, and Logansport, Indiana. For thirty years he was thus connected with railway building and in 1871 he came to Peoria, where he superintended the construction of the old Peoria & Rock Island Railroad and remained as superintendent of the line for many years. When the Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad of Peoria went into the hands of a receiver he was appointed to the position and managed the affairs of the company until all business and interests were adjusted. He afterward made investments in coal lands in Wesley City and continued to own coal properties until his death.
Mr. Hilliard was twice married. After losing his first wife he was mar- ried on the 12th of April, 1871, to Sallie R. Mattox, a daughter of Absalom and Druscilla Ann Mattox, of Springfield, Ohio, who were natives of Virginia. Fol- lowing their removal to the middle west the father engaged in the dry-goods business in Springfield, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard had three children : Helen M., who is now a teacher in the Irving school of Peoria; Sallie R. and Caroline, both of whom are deceased. While living in Piqua, Mr. Hilliard held member- ship in the Presbyterian church. He was a strict temperance man, firm in his convictions and loyal in his beliefs. He was one of the most enthusiastic mem- bers of the first Commercial Association organized for the advancement of the business, social and moral interests of Peoria. In politics he was a republican and took an active and helpful interest in the work of his party but never sought office. A man of high character, his life was ever actuated by noble principles.
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Although he met with reverses and difficulties in his coal business, he valued more his honor than he did his wealth and no one ever lost a dollar through his transactions. His integrity was unassailable and justice was one of his firm and unyielding traits. He was a man of modest and retiring disposition but he took great interest in the welfare of the city and did much for its betterment and advancement along many lines.
DANIEL J. GORMAN.
Daniel J. Gorman who for nearly fourteen years has been in the service of the Peoria Railway Company on the city lines of Peoria, is prominently identified with the circles of federated labor, not only in the city but in the state and nation. He has been president of the Association of Street and Electric Railway Em- ployes of America practically ever since its organization, and he is vice president of the Illinois State Federation of Labor. Mr. Gorman is a native of this state, his birth having occurred at Ottawa on the 15th of May. 1876, and a son of Thomas Gorman, a building mover.
In the acquirement of his education Daniel J. Gorman attended the public schools until he was nine years of age, when he began earning his own living. He was first employed in a bottle factory of his native city, but at the expiration of a year withdrew from this position and went to work in a brickyard, being employed there and in various other minor capacities until 1891. In the latter year he went to Omaha, Nebraska, to work for the Murphy, Wasey Chair Manufacturing Company, continuing in their service for four years. Later he learned the painter's trade, which he followed in Omaha until 1898. In the latter year he returned to Illinois, settling in Peoria, and subsequently entered the service of the Peoria Railway Company as motorman on one of the city's lines. Later he was made barn foreman but subsequently again was put on one of the city runs.
Ever since he was old enough to be capable of forming an independent opinion, Mr. Gorman has strongly championed the cause of amalgamated labor. He is a strong union man, believing that the highest interests of the individual laborer necessitate the organization and united efforts of the entire trade or craft toward the accomplishment of a definite end, while the rights of the work- ing people at large are protected and advanced through the coalescence of all of the orders. He was one of the first members of the Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America and six months after its organization was made president of the order, and has ever since been the incumbent of that office. For the past two years he has been vice president of the Illinois State Federation of Labor, and was but recently reelected by acclamation to the same office. He is held in high regard in labor circles because of his loyalty and untir- ing efforts in promoting the interests of the working man.
Omaha, Nebraska, was the scene of Mr. Gorman's marriage on the 12th of January, 1898, to Miss Maud Van Ness, a daughter of Ralph Van Ness, a land- scape gardener of that city .. and they have become the parents of the following children: Marie, who will soon be thirteen years of age; Irene, who is eleven ; Ruth, who has celebrated the ninth anniversary of her birth : Daniel J., Jr., who is anticipating his eighth birthday; and Ethel, who has but recently passed the fourth anniversary of her birth.
Mr. Gorman is a member of the Foresters, Moose and the Peoria Social Athletic Society, while his political indorsement is given to the democratic party. He is a public-spirited man and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs, and has represented the interests of the first ward in the city council since 1910. Mr. Gorman has many friends in Peoria and a strong following, particularly
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among the laboring classes to whose interests he is ever loyal, always being pre- pared to champion their cause and protect their rights at the opportune time. He is a man of much inherent ability, modern in thought, humane in his instincts and sharing in truly advanced intelligent ideas. Having begun his independent career before his tenth year, his struggle with the world has developed an acute mentality and endowed him with the faculty of quickly and accurately coming to a definite estimate of his fellow beings. Practically self-educated, he is a man of independent thought and views, yet sufficiently broad to accept new theories and possesses enough strength of character to live up to his convictions. He applies himself energetically to anything he undertakes, discharging his duties with efficiency in whatever capacity he may be serving. His strong individuality, determination of purpose and power to direct and control others well qualifies him for leadership. Naturally a man endowed with such qualities must make a success of anything he undertakes. Mr. Gorman is yet a young man and his present achievements would be highly creditable to one who had started life under far more favorable circumstances.
WILLIAM E. KINNETT, M. D.
Dr. William E. Kinnett, a leading representative of the medical profession in Peoria, has practiced here for the past seven years and maintains his offices in the Masonic Temple. His birth occurred in Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 3d of July, 1849, his parents being William and Ann ( Brown) Kinnett. The father, who was one of the pioneer agriculturists of that county, passed away in 1883 when seventy-five years of age. His remains were interred at Elmwood cemetery in Yorkville, Illinois, where his wife was also buried after her de- mise in 1886. The family is of French origin and first came to the United States by way of Canada.
William E. Kinnett acquired his early education in the country schools and subsequently continued his studies in a normal school, after which he followed the profession of teaching for four years. On the expiration of that period he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, now the Eclectic Medical College, which institution conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1876. Locating for practice at Palmer, Illinois, he there continued for three years and then went to Minier, this state, where he remained for one year. In 1880 he went to York- ville, there practicing his profession continuously and successfully for a quarter of a century. In 1905 he opened an office in Peoria and this city has since re- mained the scene of his professional labors, but he is known by reputation throughout almost the entire country. He is a member of the Illinois State Eclectic Medical Society and was its secretary for twenty-four years, and is now its president, and also belongs to the National Eclectic Medical Association, of which he served as president, for one year and secretary for three years. He was also recently elected the chief executive officer of the American Associa- tion of Orificial Surgeons.
Dr. Kinnett has been married twice. At Virden, Illinois, he wedded Miss Mary E. Cave, who passed away in 1886 and was buried at Yorkville. She left two children, namely: Iva J., who is district manager for the Rambler auto- mobile in Texas and Louisiana ; and Lily D., who is the wife of Alvah L. Hill, a pharmacist of Geneva, Illinois. In 1887, at Yorkville, Illinois, Dr. Kinnett was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth R. Austin, a daughter of J. N. and Sarah Austin. Her father was a capitalist.
In politics Dr. Kinnett is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He is a Master Mason, a member of the Eastern Star and patron of the Electa Chapter. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of
DR. W. E. KINNETT
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS :.
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America and the Royal Neighbors. His residence at No. 802 Fourth avenue is a favorite resort with many friends of the family. His general thought is chiefly given to his professional duties, which he discharges with a sense of con- scientious obligation, His labors are the exponent of the highest attainment in medical knowledge and skill, and he is continually promoting his efficiency by the most thorough research and investigation.
WILLIAM E. HULL.
William E. Hull, who is known to everybody in Peoria and to his many friends throughout the state as "Ed," has won recognition, as a builder of val- uable enterprises, as a factor in the growth and development of Peoria. He possesses rare powers of organization and administration and, moreover, he has a large fund of that quality of common sense which is too often lacking. The work that he has accomplished in behalf of municipal welfare and up- building marks him as a man of public spirit and he stands today as one of the greatest individual forces in municipal expansion, his well directed and cen- tralized 'energies, based upon broad-mindedness and liberality, being regarded as a public asset. New industries within the borders of Peoria owe their ex- istence to him and he has given new impetus to business achievement through advanced and progressive ideas. The community pays this debt to him in uni- versal honor and esteem.
The traditions of the early training of the farm boy and the habits formed in an environment where early rising and strenuous labor are factors of the everyday life, have been brought by Mr. Hull into his activity in citizenship and his efforts for the betterment and development of municipal interests. He was born in Lewiston, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1866, and is a son of Captain William Wesley and Mary A. Hull, who were married in that city in 1864. The first Hull of this line in America is thought to have been another Captain Hull, who won fame on Lake Erie during the War of 1812. His direct descendant and the first of the name in Illinois was Phillip Hull, grandfather of William E. Hull, who removed with his family from Licking county, Ohio, to a farm near Smithfield, Fulton county, Illinois. Being a firm believer in education, Phillip Hull built a tiny log schoolhouse on his land and this, known as Hull's schoolhouse, afterward became famous as a place for brilliant debates and pub- lic meetings. It still stands as one of the landmarks of the pioneer period. William Wesley Hull, the father of William E. Hull, did honorable service dur- ing the Civil war as captain of Company H, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and after the close of hostilities returned to Lewiston, where he be- came a prominent figure in local political circles.
William E. Hull, in early life showed a strong leaning toward politics and business. Ile was discerning enough to see that the first requisite for success was a good education and at a time when a high-school course was considered by most people as quite sufficient preparation for life's duties and responsibili- ties he determined to obtain the advantages of college training. Accordingly, after leaving the Lewiston high school he entered the Illinois College at Jack- sonville, where he acquitted himself with great credit. While attending there he was a college mate of former Governor Yates and of William Jennings Brvan. From the time he left college Mr. Hull's political success was remark- able. His first position was that of assistant postmaster of Lewiston, to which he was appointed in 1884. As one of the founders of the Joe Fifer Young Men's Republican Club of that city he employed all his talent for work and or- ganization and made it an effective force in local politics of that time. His ap- pointment by republican authority to the position of government gauger in 1890
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obliged him to change his residence to Peoria, where he has since lived. His political zeal remained unabated. He worked continuously and always success- fully for the republican party in the city and state and by his efforts changed the old democratic third ward into a republican stronghold. In 1894 the four- teenth congressional district was slated to go democratic in the election. The district had been carved out for that purpose. William E. Hull was at that time secretary of the Peoria county republican central committee and chairman of the fourteenth congressional district. There were enormous odds against him but he threw his great capacity for hard work, his tireless energy and his faith in his cause into the struggle, and the victory which he won was brilliant. The democratic district went republican, the entire republican county ticket being elected with one exception. Mr. Graff was elected to congress for the first of his long series of terms, and Mr. Hull's political supremacy was ac- knowledged and strengthened. In 1898, after having again served as secretary of the republican county committee with his usual success, Mr. Hull was ap- pointed by President Mckinley as postmaster of the city of Peoria. He brought to this office industry, intelligence and keen business instinct. He made many improvements during his term of service, increased the clerical and carrier forces, established the free delivery service in the suburbs, increased the num- ber of substations in the city and had charge of the establishing of the first com- plete county free rural delivery system in the state, this being also one of the first systems of its kind in the country. In acknowledgment of these services and in consideration of the able management of the department during his in- cumbency President Roosevelt appointed Mr. Hull postmaster for a second term of four years.
Outside of his political life Mr. Hull has been a remarkably successful bus- iness man. He is one of the most prominent figures in Peoria today and his activities have been directed along expanding and progressive lines. The beau- tiful and luxuriously appointed Jefferson Hotel, erected in 1912, stands as a monument to his business and executive ability and the high quality of his public spirit. This building, which fills a long-felt need in Peoria, came into exist- ence largely as the result of his efforts. After the ground had been purchased and the promoters of the enterprise had failed to make any material progress toward the completion of the plans the business men and the press of Peoria prevailed upon Mr. Hull to take up the building of what is now one of the fin- est hotels in the country, offering every comfort to the traveling public. When the organization had been perfected with Mr. Hull at the head he bent his en- ergies to the accomplishment of the task to which he brought a keen knowledge of men in his selection of coworkers. He chose as his active aids some of the most prominent and important business men in the city and to their harmoni- ous cooperation much of the success of the enterprise is due. His powers of making well formulated plans and his ability to secure their execution are evi- denced by the fact that within ten days after the beginning of his campaign for funds he was able to announce that the hotel would be built during the winter and would be open in February, 1912. Upon the 6th of that month he made good his word and the doors of one of the handsomest and finest hotels in the state were thrown open to the public. Mr. Hull in his speech upon the opening night said: "It has been my right at times to be prominent in enter- prises and consequently I have had at different times credit that should not al- together have been given to me. In this enterprise there are many others and among them I think I would not be paying my debt unless I called the atten- tion of the public to the fact that my partner, Mr. Arthur Lehmann, should be given an equal amount of credit with myself and others. I want also to call your attention to two men who in my judgment deserve equal credit with any of us and who have worked day and night in promoting this enterprise. I refer to Mr. John McDowell and Mr. George Jobst, who represent the best brand
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of Peoria's business citizenship." This speech was characteristic of Mr. Hull who is not only always gracious to everyone but prefers to give credit to oth- ers rather than to assume it for himself. On that occasion he pleased his hear- ers greatly by bringing his estimable wife to the front and introducing her to the audience as his guiding spirit in the building of the hotel. Surprised and somewhat embarrassed at thus being unexpectedly called forth, she nevertheless bowed her acknowledgment of the appreciation thus evidenced by the public. The Jefferson Hotel compares favorably in general utility, convenience and adornment with the leading hotels of America. It is built in an attractive style of architecture, is nine stories and basement in height, and presents a solid and imposing appearance as viewed from every angle. The interior furnish- ings and decorations are tasteful and artistic and there are special dining rooms, a large banquet hall and other attractive rooms for the care and entertainment of patrons. The building is of steel construction, entirely fireproof, with rein- forced concrete and more than a million bricks were used in its construction. The Jefferson and Liberty avenue fronts are faced with gray pressed brick and the massive window arches up to the Mezzanine floors are of Bedford stone. The building has been leased by the Jefferson Operating Company for a term of thirty years, the principal stockholders of the organization being William E. Hull. president, and Arthur Lehmann, secretary and treasurer.
On the 27th of February, 1889, William E. Ilull was married to Miss Ella Harris, of Lewiston, a granddaughter of Newton Walker, a Peoria pioneer and an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Hull is a woman of pleasing ap- l'earance who has firm belief in her husband's ability and greatly encourages him in his undertakings. She is generous-hearted, liberal in spirit, and does much good in aiding less fortunate persons in various ways. Her acts of kind- ness and benevolence are always most quietly done for she cares for no noto- riety or publicity because of her good deeds.
During the course of his useful life Mr. Hull has won many warm friends in Peoria and his name stands as a synonym today for keen business ability, stalwart political ideals, broad-minded citizenship and active public spirit. It is commonly known that he is more willing to use his money to aid deserving in - dividuals or projects than to hoard it away for his own use. His well directed business activity has won him prosperity and at the same time he has gained the esteem of all his associates and contemporaries in both business and politi- cal circles where his word has almost become law because of the recognition of his sound judgment and his desire to further progress. Judged by the stand- ards of his time he is a successful man and since these standards are continu- ously broadening and rising Mr. Hull may justly be numbered among the im- portant factors in Peoria's upbuilding.
FREDERICK W. KOETTER.
Prominent among the many sturdy sons of German parentage, upon whose sterling worth and solid business integrity so much of the commercial prog- ress of Peoria rests today, is Frederick W. Koetter, a native son of Peoria, and head of one of the leading wholesale liquor houses of the city. Mr. Koetter is one of the fine business men of the old school, solid, conservative and public- spirited, devoted in a great degree to his home and family, well educated, fa- miliar with the best literature of his time and a thoroughly refined and cul- tured gentleman.
Frederick W. Koetter was born June 13, 1855. at Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Charles J. Koetter, a native of P'russia, who came to America in 1849 and to Peoria in 1853, where he married the following year, 1854, Miss
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