USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Stephen D. Buck, their son and the father of William J. Buck, was born in Cayuga county, New York, October 6, 1817, and was therefore a little lad of about thirteen years when the family came to Illinois. He early became familiar with all the hardships and trials incident to frontier life, the family settling here the year before the Black Hawk war occurred. He continued to till the land which his father had entered as a claim from the government, and for many years occupied a prominent position among the leading farmers of this part of the state. He lived a quiet and unassuming life, and yet his sterling worth commended him to the good-will and high regard of all those with whom he came in contact. He died in 1899, and his wife, who was born June 22, 1820, has also passed away. She bore the maiden name of Mary Smith and was a native of Kentucky. She too represented one of the pioneer families of this part of the state, and it was in Peoria county that she gave her hand in marriage to Stephen D. Buck.
Their son, William J. Buck, attended the district schools until twenty years of age and through the summer months aided in the work on the farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and harvesting the crops. After leaving school he continued to assist his father on the old home- stead for ten years, and in the meantime he saved a sufficient sum of money to purchase a farm of his own. He then made investment in land in Logan township where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1889, cultivating the crops best adapted to the soil and climate and adding to his farm many mod- ern improvements and equipments. The success which came to him year by year at length made him the possessor of a comfortable competence, relieving
402
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
him of the necessity for further labor. He then retired from active farm life, and, with his family, removed to Peoria. In the meantime he purchased the in- terest of the other heirs in his father's estate and now owns the old family home- stead which his grandfather entered as a claim from the government in 1831. He has also acquired many other tracts of valuable farm land, his possessions being extensive and returning to him a very gratifying annual income. He is also a stockholder in the Avery Manufacturing Company of Peoria, one of the most modern industrial enterprises of the middle west.
On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Harriet I. Houghting, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stewart) Hough- ting, who were natives of New York and settled in Hollis township in pioneer times, the father there following the occupation of farming. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buck four children were born: Ray J., who is superintendent of railroad construction for the firm of Porter Brothers, is married and has four children- Mary Dorothy, Ruth Harriet, Ray Justin, Jr. and Charles Robert; Isabella, who is the wife of Clarence D. Murphy, of Peoria; Margaret, who is at home; and William H., the youngest of the family, who is still in school.
Mr. Buck has always been interested in the cause of education and for many years served as school director. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the First Presbyterian church. He is a home-loving man who has lived a quiet life, at all times free from ostentation, and yet he is recognized as one who merits public confidence and high regard, for in all his business affairs he has been progressive and his business dealings have ever been characterized by the strictest principles of integrity and honor.
LUKE SWEETSER.
Luke Sweetser, who is meeting with success in the conduct of a real-estate business that he established in Peoria twenty years ago, is one of the well known residents of this city, where he has resided for sixty-three years. He is a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in 1847, and is the youngest of the three children born of the marriage of Abel and Eunice Sweetser, who were the parents of two sons and one daughter. The latter is deceased and the other son is a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The father, who was a farmer, was also a native of Springfield, and there he was killed by an accident during the infancy of his son Luke. In 1848, the mother with her three children came to Peoria, and here Mr. Sweetser has ever since made his home. His mother had three brothers who were ship builders in New England.
When he had reached the usual age, Luke Sweetser began his education in the public schools of this city, receiving his elementary training in the old Fourth Ward school located at the corner of Walnut and Adams streets, where the Smith hotel now stands. During that period for one term he was so fortunate as to be the pupil of the veteran editor of the "Peoria Star," Eugene F. Baldwin. He subsequently enrolled in a private school, where he supplemented his early course and specialized in mathematics. During the latter years of his student days he worked during the vacation months, thus relieving his mother of much of the expense of his maintenance. When old enough to begin his business career he entered the store of P. C. & A. P. Bartlett, dry-goods merchants. In 1866, he engaged in the grocery business but subsequently withdrew from this and twenty years ago established a real-estate office. Mr. Sweetser has met with very good success in this and now maintains an office in suite 506 of the German Fire Insurance building. He handles valuable property interests, has the entire management of several estates and has met with very good returns in his private
403
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
investments. During the Civil war he enlisted and went to the front as a member of Company C, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and later he belonged to Company G, Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, being in the service for sixteen monthis.
For his wife Mr. Sweetser chose Miss Laura Potter, a daughter of William C. Potter, who was in the grain commission business in Peoria. Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sweetser, two of whom are deceased. Of those living Irving J. is a resident of Chicago, while Nelson W. is in Phoenix, British Columbia. Mrs. Sweetser is now in California for her health.
The family have always attended the Congregational church of which the parents are active members. Mr. Sweetser has always been a great Sunday school worker and for more than thirty years he has been superintendent and assistant superintendent of the Plymouth Congregational Sunday school. He is a man of much religious zeal, and has for many years worked tirelessly in his efforts to promote the development of his church, toward the support of which he has generously contributed. He is descended from a long line of New Eng- land ancestors, all of whom were great church people. Mr. Sweetser has high standards of citizenship and has always strongly indorsed every public move- ment that would tend to elevate the moral, intellectual or social welfare of the community.
WILL G. BOWERS.
Will G. Bowers, of Elmwood, is well known in the banking world, having since 1904 served as state bank examiner of the northern district of Illinois, which includes all the counties north of Peoria except Cook county. A native of Elmwood, he was born May 7. 1856, a son of Daniel D. and Lucy A. (Gleason ) Bowers. The father was born in New Hampshire and the mother in Massachu- setts and they were married in the latter state. In 1854 they removed to Illinois, settling in Salem township, Knox county, and after about three years removed to Elmwood. Here the father engaged in merchandising and was also postmaster of the town. He was very active in the time of the war and assisted in the organization of two companies, but being a cripple he was not permitted to en- list in the service. In his political views he was a republican and was of the Universalist faith and his wife is also a member of the Universalist church. He passed away in March, 1876, and his wife is yet living. In their family were four children, the eldest of whom is the subject of this review. The others were: John H., who died in 1892; Lucy A. ; and D. Frank, of Farmington, Illi- nois.
Will G. Bowers was educated in the public schools of Elmwood and in early life was employed in a grocery store where he worked for three years. He then began work for W. E. Phelps in the foundry business, but after a short time he again took up grocery work, entering the employ of the firm of G. R. Graham & Goddard. After eleven years he took up the coal business, working again for W. E. Phelps. Subsequently he became assistant cashier of the Elmwood State Bank and in May, 1896, he entered the employ of the auditor of public accounts and has been in that work ever since. For eight years of that time he has been building and loan inspector and for the past seven years has been state bank examiner for the northern district, which includes all the counties north of Peoria except Cook.
On the 30th of December, 1882, Mr. Bowers married Miss Lillian M. Van Petten, who is a native of New York and a daughter of John and Hannah T. (Bourne) Van Petten. The father, John Van Petten, was a school teacher and when nineteen years of age came from New York to Illinois, where he followed
404
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
his profession. He located at Trivoli and there met and married Miss Hannah T. Bourne, who was a native of Sterling, New York, but had come to this county as a mère child with her parents. She was the daughter of Meltiah Tobey and Mary (Bartlett) Bourne, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts and were married in that state on June 1, 1832, and a year later removed to Illinois. They located at Trivoli, being the first settlers there and named the town. They re- sided at Trivoli until 1848 when they removed to Elmwood where they both died. Mr .. Bourne was a brother of Jonathan Bourne, who was the father of Senator Bourne of Oregon. Jonathan Bourne was at one time a large ship builder and ship owner and the largest whale ship owner in the world. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Van Petten removed to New York but after a period of three years returned to Peoria county, Illinois, and here they resided the rest of their lives and reared their family of four children: Lillian M., Frederick B., Augustus J., and one who is deceased. Mrs. Bowers' family
ancestry has been traced back to members who came to America in the May- flower. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have been born four children: Mary Loring, who is the wife of H. P. Jarman, of Elmwood; Mildred Gleason, who is a graduate of the Elmwood high school, and is now at home; John Frederick, who is now nineteen years of age and is a freshman in the mechanical engineering department of the Illinois State University and by himself has constructed two automobiles ; and Marjorie L., who is now at school.
Mr. Bowers' steady application and careful study of business methods and plans to be followed, have made him one of the successful business men of the county. He has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who give him their warm regard and he is most highly honored in the town where he has spent his life. In his political views he is a republican and in the early days of his life he served as clerk and treasurer of the city board. Fraternally he belongs to the Arcanus Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Mrs. Bowers is a member of the Congregational church.
AARON SAMUEL OAKFORD.
There is an old adage that "Opportunity knocks but once," but modern con- ditions disprove this, as each day offers opportunity for the individual to call forth the best that is in him and develop his industry, his perseverance and his capability along initiative lines. Such qualties in Aaron Samuel Oakford have brought him from a humble clerkship to the position of president and manager of the largest mercantile houses in Illinois outside of Chicago, for he is at the head of the Oakford-Fahnestock Company, wholesale grocers. As the first vice president of the Illinois National Bank he also stands in a position of leadership, not because his efforts have been greater or his circumstances different from those of the great majority, but because he has used every chance, never fearing to venture where favorable opportunities lead the way. Mr. Oakford was born in Limestone township, Peoria county, October 28, 1845, a son of Aaron and Sarah (Wilson) Oakford. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, removed from that state to Peoria in 1838. The mother, who was born in England, settled in Peo- ria with the Wilson family in 1835. In both the paternal and maternal lines, therefore, Aaron S. Oakford is a representative of pioneer families. He was but seven years of age when the family removed from the farm to Peoria and in the acquirement of his education attended the grammar and high schools of this city. He entered the grocery business as a clerk for H. H. Potter, an old- time Peoria merchant, who did business in block 100. North Washington street, working twelve hours. a day for fifteen dollars per month. In 1868 he joined Joseph F. Henry and George Wright in the establishment and conduct of a re-
A. S. OAKFORD
THE NEW YOU! PUBLIC LIDT
ASTOR LOIN
407
THISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
tail business, succeeding the firm of Potter & White at the old stand of H. 11. Potter. They conducted a retail business there until 1870, when Mr. Oakford purchased Mr. Wright's interest and the firm became Henry & Oakford. About that time a small wholesale department was added to the retail. In 1872 H. H. Fahnestock entered the firm and at this time the retail business was discontinued and the new firm moved to block 200, South Washington street. In 1874 C. J. Off was admitted to the firm. retiring in 1877. At that time another change of location took place, a removal being made to the middle of block 300, South Washington street, in the premises now occupied by Thomas & Clark. Then, in need of still larger and better quarters, the Easton block, adjoining the Board of Trade, was constructed expressly for their use. In January, 1881, Messrs. Oakford and Fahnestock purchased the interest of the senior partner and with the incorporation of the business the name of the Oakford & Fahne- stock Company was assumed. The continuous increase in their trade caused then to outgrow the quarters then occupied by the firm and in 1887 they became the owners of the mammoth four-story warehouse on Liberty, Commer- cial and Washington streets. A few years later they erected a large warehouse on Water and Commercial streets, and also purchased two warehouses adjacent. Industry, sagacity and enterprise as well as integrity have been the dominant forces in the management of the business until they are today in control of the most extensive wholesale grocery trade in Illinois. In addition to his other in- terests, Mr. Oakford, as previously stated, is first vice president of the Illinois National Bank and is closely associated with organizations to further either the interests of or which have their root in charitable purposes. He is now the presi- dent of the Illinois Wholesale Grocers' Association and is a director and mem- ber of the executive committee of the Peoria Association of Commerce. In the field of benevolence he is well known as president of the Betterment Association conducting Neighborhood House, an important social settlement. He is also a trustee of the Proctor Endowment and a director of the Proctor Hospital.
Mr. Oakford has ever been recognized as a man of high moral worth as well as of business enterprise. He is public-spirited and in many ways has con- tributed to the general progress and improvement of the community. His name stands as a synonym for all that means advancement in commercial lines and his methods will bear the light of close investigation and scrutiny.
THEODORE CHALON BURGESS.
The name of Theodore C. Burgess stands today in Peoria for educational expansion along modern lines. He unites in his character the qualities of a deep student and thinker with administrative ability, and has brought Bradley Poly- technic Institute, of which he is the head, to the front rank among advanced educational institutions. Mr. Burgess was born in Little Valley, New York, in April, 1859. He is a son of Chalon and Emma J. (Johnston) Burgess. The family has been in America since 1830 when its representatives crossed the Atlantic from England. Mr. Burgess is a direct descendant of this line and is in all the phases of his life worthy of distinguished ancestry. His mother is of Scotch-Irish descent and traces her lineage back to the prominent Sanford family in England. His father, Chalon Burgess, was a Presbyterian minister and pastor of the church of Silver Creek, New York. He received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from Hamilton College, and was widely known as an exemplary and cultured man.
Theodore C. Burgess was educated in the public schools of his native state and supplemented this grammar education by a course in the Fredonia State Normal School, from which institution he graduated in 1879. His A. B. degree
408
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
was received from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, in 1883. He at- tended the University of Chicago from 1896 to 1898 and is a graduate student and fellow in Greek. In 1898 he received his degree of Ph. D. from the Chicago University, thus completing a splendid modern education. He has been con- nected with education all during his active life. He was head of the depart- ment of ancient languages at the Fredonia State Normal School from 1883 to 1896. His association with Bradley Polytechnic Institute at Peoria dates from 1897, in which year he took charge of the department of ancient languages, holding at the same time the position of dean. He became the director of the institute in 1904, and is holding this office at the present time. During the summers of 1900 to 1907 he was professor of Greek in the University of Chi- cago, and this experience deepened his natural talents and broadened his activi- ties. He was secretary of the Classical Association of the middle west and south from 1908 to 1911, and his activities in this field were marked by the same administrative ability which has distinguished his association with Bradley Insti- tute. He is well known in social circles of Peoria being a member of the Creve Coeur club and active in the affairs of that organization. In lines affiliated with his work he belongs to the American Philological Association and to the National Educational Association. He is president of the college section of the Illinois State Teachers' Association and his name is connected with the American Health League and the National Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education.
In August, 1887, Mr. Burgess was united in marriage to Miss Laura May Briggs, of Fredonia, New York, and to their union has been born one daughter, Helena.
As a man who is at the head of a leading educational institution in Peoria Mr. Burgess has done much to influence the quality of the future citizenship of the community. The conditions of modern living are growing more complex every day and education must be developed to fit the situation. No man has done more in this city to raise the standard of instruction than has Theodore C. Burgess, who makes his pupils ready followers of his teachings by his geniality and the genuine quality of his friendship.
JOHN MCDOUGAL.
At ninety-two years of age John McDougal is still a comparatively hale and hearty man, and although he is now retired from business, yet remains a factor in the world's work, inasmuch as he gives out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. For many years he was active in the real-estate field and won success that can be attributed to his energy and diligence and, above all, to his honesty and integrity. The years marked his advancement and at length he reached a position where he felt that his success and his age justified his retirement. The most envious could not grudge him his prosperity, so well has it been won and so worthily used.
Mr. McDougal was born on the 4th of March, 1820, in the city of New York, and is descended from the old and famous McDougal clan of Scotch famous in the early history and wars of the country. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Barton) McDougal. The father was born in Scotland in 1780 and came to America in 1805. He engaged in business in New York city for several years and there met with reverses. Being a man of honor and high character, he turned his business over to his creditors and they in turn gave him the land on which he settled in Cayuga county, New York, during the early boyhood of his son John, who remained a resident of that district until he reached the age of seventeen years. Inspired by a laudable ambition to make his own way in the world and prove his ability in business circles, he left home and returned
409
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
to New York, where he occupied various positions with different employers until several years had passed. His experience continually broadened, rendering him a more efficient and forceful factor in business circles. In 1845 his em- ployer gave him a two months' leave of absence and he made a trip to the middle west, although at that time this section of the country was considered the "far west." He was pleased with the district that he visited and had such belief in its possibilities and its future that he resolved to become a resident of the Mis- sissippi valley, although two years elapsed before he found opportunity to carry out his resolution. Peoria was fortunate in obtaining him as a citizen and through all the intervening years to the present time she has numbered him among her honorable, progressive men. He first engaged in the grocery trade, selling at retail, but subsequently established a wholesale business, in which he continued until the building of railroads around the city cut off his trade. The business was conducted originally as a partnership affair under the firm name of McDougal & Smith, but after a brief time the senior partner had purchased the interest of the junior and as sole owner he carried on the undertaking. During the wide- spread financial panic of 1853, he was one of the very few men who met all of his obligations and came unscathed out of the ordeal which wrecked many a fortune and fair home.
In 1857, when the wholesale trade was no longer profitable, Mr. McDougal closed out his interests in that line and turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which he continued for many years. His keen sagacity and sound judgment now proved of notable worth in enabling him to judge of the value of property and make judicious purchases and sales. He negotiated many impor- tant realty transfers and as the years passed by was connected with many of the leading real-estate deals of the city. That remained his chief line of business and yet into other fields he extended his efforts, doing considerable building in connection with Messrs. Walker & Kellogg, of Chicago. In 1848 they built what was at that time the largest warehouse on the Illinois river, standing as a land- mark at the foot of Harrison street and which is now dismantled. An enormous trade for the time was conducted there, a line of boats plying daily between Peoria and Chicago. Mr. McDougal, now ninety-two years of age, has retired from active business life, yet continued a factor in business circles here long after most men would have put aside active cares and responsibilities. He possesses a remarkably retentive memory, enabling him to speak with authority upon many questions relative to the trade and business interests of the city in general, as well as those with which he has been connected. Throughout his entire business career the term integrity has been synonymous with his name. His word has ever been as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal and any statement that he has made in connection with business has passed current at par value.
On the 14th of April, 1852, Mr. McDougal was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Gray, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 1834 came with her parents to Peoria. Her father, Andrew Gray, was one of the early settlers here and took active part in developing the city in its early history. The death of Mrs. McDougal occurred in 1907. In the family were nine children: John, who passed away in 1873; William, who is representing Armour & Company at Des Moines, Iowa; Edward, who was with Armour & Company of Chicago, but is now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, and has two sons, David and Edward, Jr .; James, deceased; James, the second of the name, who is associated with the clearing house of Chicago, and has three children, James, Margaret and Donald ; Mary E., the wife of H. M. Clark, of Chicago ; Robert, who is a member of the firm of Knight & McDougal, of Chicago, and married a Miss Bouton, of that city, by whom he has two children, Robert Bouton and Christopher Bouton ; Walter, who is associated with his brother Robert in business; and Alfred, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chicago and is married and has a son,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.