USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 50
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The Rev. E. F. Howe was married twice. He first wedded Frances Gates. of Munson, Massachusetts, and unto them were born two sons and two daugh- ters : Frank C., a lawyer, who for a number of years held a government position in Peoria but is now a resident of New York; Louis B., who holds a position of trust with the Merchants Bank & Trust Company, of Los Angeles, California ; Grace G .; and Fannie C. The wife and mother died in November, 1882, and the Rev. Howe in 1885 married Sarah ( Storrs) Proctor, the widow of David Proctor of Peoria. By her first marriage she had three children, Charles, Julia and David. She now makes her home in New York city. In less than two years after her second marriage she was called upon to mourn the loss of the Rev. Howe, and all Peoria mourned with her, for in the five years of his res- idence here he had firmly endeared himself to the residents of this city and all with whom he had come in contact. The Rev. Hiram Eddy writes of him : "I like to write about that dear man. E. Frank Howe was one of my nearest neighbors in the ministry here in Connecticut, and while he and I remained in the state we were quite intimate. I loved him and I think he loved me. 1 had great confidence in his mental culture and in the depth of his Christ-warmed experience. He was always ready for any good deed, for any good work. You felt a Christ in his sympathy and here was the charm of his preaching. It was luminous, warm, and coming home to the hearts of the hearers. He was more like the lovely and lovable John than like Peter or Paul. He drew not in the sensational sense but in the sense of winning. His people loved him and they felt he was one of them. He was a brother among their brothers, a child among their children, a neighbor among their neighbors and was a member of all their homes. Of course souls were won to Christ and many will call him blessed. Let us thank God for such a noble ministry." A College classmate of the Rev. Howe pays this tribute to him: "I was one of the many classmates of Frank Howe who knew him and loved him well, but I also stood in a closer and more
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sacred relation to him, for there were few who knew him and loved him as I did and fewer still whom I loved and knew as I knew and loved Frank Howe. He was one of the deacons of the College church from our class and, while all the deacons, as far as I now remember, were faithful men and officers, yet it is no disparagement to the others to say that not one in all the college was more faithful or more useful than Deacon Howe. During his student life his prom- inent characteristics were his unhesitating adherence to the right in everything, his burning desire to do good to all about him and to develop the very best that there was in himself, his cheerful spirit, his lively affections, and before all, above all and throughout all, his pronounced personal religion." Numerous were the letters expressive of similar sentiments to the above sent to the bereaved widow and the congregation for which the Rev. Howe ministered until so short a time before his death. We make the following extract from a tribute from the First Congregational Church of Peoria, writen by Miss S. S. Lines, one of its members : "He was preeminently a man who had the courage of his convictions. Aggressive and strong in his own opinions, he gave forth no uncertain sound, yet he was tolerant of and listened with deference to the opinions of others, and his pacific spirit often during heated discussions or argument 'kept the bal- ance true and fair.' His sense of humor was keen and his scorn of meanness intense. His sympathy with honest doubt and his clear presentation of the truth won the confidence of some whose only safety from agnosticism had been their belief in the fatherhood of God. He was quick to give and respond to a sympathetic touch. His name was known and loved among those who were not of his own parish and many who were outside of any church relation will long remember his thoughtful kindness. None looked to him in vain for help. The handful of choice flowers, the blooming plant, the little note, the timely word, the warm pressure of the hand, the appreciative glance, the prayer which voiced the agony and strong crying for help and which seemed to bring the answer down, are all remembered and cherished by countless hearts. Literally, he entered into our joys and shared our sorrows. The little child in its inno- cence ; the young, looking forward with expectant eyes; the strong men in the stir and rush of business life, some of whom have said no other man ever came so near to them; the mother weary of her household round; the gray-haired man and woman, sinking under the burden of helplessness; the joyous, the suf- fering and the sinning he carried in his great, true heart,-they were his people and knit to him by tender chords of love."
"Were a star quenched on high, For ages would its light, Still traveling downward from the sky, Shine on our mortal sight. So when a good man dies, For years beyond our ken The light he leaves behind him lies Upon the paths of men."
HERBERT ALEXANDER ROBINSON.
Herbert Alexander Robinson, who is conducting a retail coal business at 213 North Washington street, has been identified with the commercial activities of Peoria for the past fourteen years. He was born in Elmwood, Illinois, on the 5th of June, 1863, and is a son of Edwin Judson and Sarah Jane (Eslinger) Robinson, who reside at 715 Illinois avenue, this city. They are the parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons, our subject being the second son
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in order of birth. Two of the daughters, Mrs. Horace Clark and Mrs. II. C. Roberts, are living in Peoria, while the other two sons, Alva J. and Charles C., are engaged in the lumber business in Chicago.
Reared at home, Herbert Alexander Robinson obtained his education in the common schools of his native town and those of Brimfield, Illinois, terminating his student days upon his graduation from the high school at the age of seven- teen years. He subsequently entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at the latter place to learn telegraphy. He had mastered this by the time he was eighteen and entered the service of the company in the capacity of operator. Ilis efficiency and capable discharge of his duties readily won him recognition and at the end of a year he was appointed agent at Castleton, this state. Two years later he was returned to Brimfield in the same capacity, remain- ing there until 1888 when he was transferred to Farmington, Illinois. He was retained there for nine years and during that period was offered the position of traveling auditor, which he declined. His next post was at Rushville, this state, where he retained the agency for two years, at the expiration of which time he withdrew from the railway service in order to engage in business for himself. The same year, 1898, he came to Peoria and purchased the retail department of the Clark Coal & Coke Company, and has ever since been following this busi- ness with increasing success. When he first engaged in this he was located at 315 Fulton street, on the present site of the Jefferson office building, but later he acquired the property at 213 North Washington street, and has ever since made this his headquarters. Mr. Robinson has conducted his business in strict accordance with modern commercial methods, and despite the fact that he had had no previous training in this particular line has met with very good success. He stands high in the esteem not only of local coal dealers but of those through- out the state and in the years 1909 and 1910 was president of the Illinois and Wisconsin Retail Coal Dealers' Association.
On the 18th of January, 1888. Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie A. Spurlock at Wyoming, Illinois. Mrs. Robinson has no people, having been left an orphan in her early childhood. They have a very pleasant residence at 220 Bigelow street, which they own, and where they often extend their hos- pitality to their friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robinson hold membership in the First Congregational church of this city and he is a member of the Creve Coeur and the Country Clubs. His political principles accord with those of the repub- lican party but in municipal elections he casts his ballot for the man he deems best adapted for the office. He has made good progress in the development of his business, which is now firmly established and thriving, being numbered among the prosperous enterprises of the city.
ALEXANDER FURST.
Alexander Furst is a representative of one of the most important business interests in Peoria, being one of the members and directors of the firm of Jobst- Bethard Wholesale Grocery Company with which he has been associated for twenty years, entering the employ of the firm as office boy. He was born in Peoria on the 26th of October, 1880, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Furst. His father died in April, 1881, when his son was but five months old and he was reared by his mother who wisely directed his development during his early youth. He attended the public schools and when it was necessary for him to enter business circles he secured a position in the wholesale grocery house now conducted under the name of the Jobst-Bethard Company. His salary was orig- inally but a dollar per week. It was not long, however, before he gained advance .. ment for he proved his worth in his industry, energy and honesty. From one
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position to another he progressed until he eventually became a salesman on the road and then buyer in the house. He was later elected a member of the board of directors and now is one of the heads of this enormous business with which he became connected in a most humble capacity.
In 1908 Mr. Furst was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Elizabeth Hall of Peoria, a daughter of George S. Hall, and they now have one child, Elizabeth. Mr. Furst belongs to the Creve Coeur Club, the Kickapoo Golf Club and also to the Travelers Protective Association, in all of which he has many friends. His life work has been a single line and undoubtedly one of the elements of his success is the fact that he has continuously concentrated his energies upon this single field. No higher testimonial of his reliability could be given than the fact that for twenty years he has been associated with one house eventually becoming a member and director of the firm.
JOHN WRIGHT McDOWELL.
John W. McDowell occupies a conspicuous position in financial circles in Peoria as treasurer of the Title & Trust Co. and also of the Dime Savings & Trust Co. Moreover, he is one of the most widely known real-estate men in central Illinois, and as manager of the real-estate division of the Title & Trust Co. has handled more property than any other man in the entire district. Alert, enterprising and determined, he seems almost intuitively to recognize the possi- bilities of a situation and with determined purpose grasps every opportunity. He is prompt in the execution of his plans, which are based upon sound judgment and a thorough understanding of the situation which he handles. Forceful and resourceful, he is one of the citizens who are molding the business development of Peoria and this section of the state.
Mr. McDowell is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born January 13, 1867. His parents were Major William Preston and Kate Goldsborough (Wright) McDowell. The father served as assistant adjutant general to General Rousseau throughout the Civil war and was wounded while in the service. He remained for many years a valued and prominent resident of Louisville, where his death occurred in 1905. His wife, still surviving him, is now a resident of Peoria.
John W. McDowell was reared in his native city and attended the public schools until graduated from the Louisville high school. He then crossed the threshold of the business world, becoming a bookkeeper in a bank. He also later turned his attention to railroad interests and likewise began operating in real estate, entering that field upon his removal to Peoria. He became manager for what was then the Elliot Callender Real Estate Company, remaining with that firm for about five years. He has "made good" in every connection, proving his worth at all times and demonstrating his ability in the successful accomplish- ment of whatever he has undertaken. After about five years with the firm of Elliot Callender he became vice president and treasurer of the Colean Manufac- turing Company, manufacturers of threshing machines, and when that firm failed he became connected with the Title & Trust Co., with which he has been identified continuously since 1906. He was made manager of the real-estate de- partment and also a director of the Dime Savings & Trust Co., which are kindred interests, under the same management and with the same officers. He developed the real-estate department of the business in a remarkable way, handling prop- erty on a mammoth scale, and so placing investments that splendid results were obtained for his clients and for the financial institution which he represented. In IgII he was called to his present position as treasurer of both the Dime. Sav- ings & Trust Co. and the Title & Trust Co. This position as treasurer of two of the largest institutions of their kind in the city is a recognition of his
JOHN W. MCDOWELL
THEY PUBLIC
ASTE- TIL "
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ability as a most enterprising young financier. In addition to his ability in finan- cial and real-estate operations, he has other prominent business connections, be- ing secretary and treasurer of the Jefferson Hotel Company, which erected the elegant new Jefferson Hotel, one of the fine hostelries of the middle west. He is president of the Western Coal Scales Company, president of the Peoria Dis- trict Colliery Company, vice president of the National Implement & Vehicle Show, and also treasurer of the Peoria Livery Company and treasurer of the Peoria Wash Sand & Gravel Company.
In 1895 Mr. McDowell was united in marriage to Miss Pearl A. Sholl of Peoria, a daughter of James M. Sholl. Mr. McDowell is president of the Creve Coeur Club, the leading organization of this character in the city. He is also a member of the Country Club and the Illinois Valley Yacht Club. Of the Peoria Association of Commerce he is vice president and a director, and is in hearty sympathy with its various movements for the improvement and upbuilding of the city and the extension of its trade relations. He labors untiringly for any- thing that tends to promote Peoria's welfare and progress and his efforts have been resultant factors for good. He is actuated by a public-spirited devotion to Peoria that none questions and he brings to bear in his public work the same practical ideas and unabating energy that have brought to him success in his business life making him to-day one of the foremost citizens of central Illinois.
FRANK P. WYNE.
In the death of Frank P'. Wyne, Peoria lost one of her well known citizens, for he had gained an extensive acquaintance not only through his later business connections with the city but also through the long years in which he occupied the position of station agent here. From the age of thirteen years he depended upon his own resources and his advancement was due to his individual worth, ability and fidelity. He was born at Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, Feb- ruary 1, 1858. His father, Joseph E. Wyne, was a prominent citizen of Macomb, where for many years he was successfully engaged in the hardware and lumber business. He always took an active interest in public affairs and filled a number of offices, serving as mayor of his town and also as circuit clerk of the county. He was at one time postmaster of Macomb and was actively and helpfully inter- ested in everything that pertained to the welfare of his community. Kentucky numbered him among her native sons and in 1832 he removed from Princeton, that state, to Illinois. Strongly opposed to the teachings of Joseph Smith, he was one of those who arose against the Mormons and succeeded in expelling them from Nauvoo. He had a personal acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln, of whom he was a great friend and admirer, and the assistance which he rendered to the great emancipator in his campaign for the presidency was afterward.recog- nized by Lincoln in his appointment of Mr. Wyne to the position of postmaster. During the campaign he was one of the men that drove through his part of the country with Lincoln, laboring untiringly for the success of republican principles.
Frank P'. Wyne was reared in the place of his birth and there attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he became a messenger for the Western Union Telegraph Company. While serving in that capacity he applied himself to the mastery of the Morse code and on the 3d of June, 1873, was made a telegraph operator on the Burlington road. During the succeeding six years he filled various positions as operator in the service of the company. In that capacity he came to Peoria in 1879. Prompted by laudable ambition, he sought the position of ticket agent at the Union depot here. The superintendent advised him that he was too young for the place, but he was too determined in his pur- pose to accept a refusal and requested to be given a three months' trial. This was
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finally granted and, his work proving entirely efficient and satisfactory, he was retained for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period he went to Chicago and became traveling passenger agent for the territory east of that city, covering Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, remaining in that capacity until the 3d of June, 1903, when he withdrew from active railroad interests, this being exactly thirty-three years from the time that he entered the service. Purchasing a hotel at Galion, Ohio, he conducted it for six years but at the end of that time disposed of his interests there in order to return to Peoria. In this city he. became associated with C. D. Wilkins in the Illinois Pump & Brass Company, which was incorporated on the Ist of January, 1909, and which has had a con- tinuously prosperous existence from its establishment. Employment is now given to fifteen men in the foundry and the business is growing in a gratifying manner. Mr. Wyne remained an active factor in its conduct until his death, which occurred January 3, 1912.
On the 25th of October, 1886, Mr. Wyne was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Thurlow, a daughter of James Thurlow, who for many years was a leading photographer of Peoria. Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wyne : Jeannette, who was born in April, 1889, and is a high-school graduate ; and Frank Thurlow, who was born in September, 1891, and is now in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The family residence is located at No. 407 Laveille street.
Fraternally Mr. Wyne was affiliated with Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., and with the Knights of Pythias. He had many friends in those organizations and enjoyed the high regard of those with whom he came in contact in other connec- tions. He certainly made a most creditable record in the railroad service. Recog- nizing his own capacities and powers, he "made good" in the position which he sought and his labors were a source of gratification and satisfaction to the corporations which he represented. He was always a courteous and obliging official, considerate of the interests of the patrons of the road and equally loyal to those who employed him. He had attractive social qualities and wherever he went gained friendship and high regard.
WILLIAM ANDREW HERVEY.
William Andrew Hervey, a farmer and capitalist residing near Dunlap, is well known throughout Peoria county. He was born in Ohio county, Virginia, May 7, 1848, the son of David G. and Jane ( Yates) Hervey. The father, a native of Ohio, came to Peoria county in the fall of 1849 and in the following spring located on a farm of two hundred acres, a part of which is now one of the additions of Dunlap. He resided on his farm until his death, October 27, 1889. He died at the age of eighty-two years and two days. He was a quiet, retiring man and always shunned public life. He was much interested in church work and was a charter member of the Prospect Presbyterian church of Dun- lap, of which he was an elder until the time of his death. The mother, Jane (Yates) Hervey, was a native of Virginia and belonged to an old Virginian family that was of Scotch-Irish Protestant descent. She died in June, 1853, at the age of forty-nine years. In their family were seven children: Thomas Y., of Chenoa, McLean county; Margaret Isabelle, the widow of John Morrow, of Chenoa; Mary Jane, the widow of William T. Brown, of Chenoa; Martha E., deceased ; Sarah A., who is the wife of Rev. George Dunlap, of Waterman, Illinois ; William Andrew; and David H., of Dunlap.
William A. Hervey was educated in the common schools of Radnor town- ship. He has resided on the farm where he now lives ever since he was one and one-half years of age and when he was thirty-one years old became the
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owner of one-half the homestead, which he has always farmed. He has been successful financially and now owns a half-interest in a three-quarter section of rice land in Louisiana and also a fifth interest in another tract of eight hun- dred and thirty-seven acres of rice land in the same state, and he spends a great deal of his time each year in looking after these interests. In the early years of his life he engaged principally in raising stock here but later has given his attention to general farming. He also has interests in the Interstate Bank & Trust Company of Peoria.
On the 26th of September, 1878, at Dunlap, Mr. Hervey married Miss Alice M. Hildebrand, who died in 1892. Of this marriage were born two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other, Ruby G., now twenty years of age, is teaching school. On the 4th of September, 1894, Mr. Hervey was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Lulu M. Adkinson, the daughter of Jolin D. and Maria J. Adkinson, of Dunlap. To Mr. and Mrs. Hervey has been born one daughter, Wilma Fern, aged fifteen years, who is attending high school.
In early life Mr. Hervey was a republican in politics, afterward an independ- ent and now for many years has given his support to the prohibition party, be- ing of recent years a strong ally of the Anti-Saloon League. He has never cared for public office or accepted any but that of school trustee, in which capacity he is now serving, having always been greatly interested in the cause of educa- tion. A member of the Prospect Presbyterian church, he has been for over thirty years an elder in the same and also served for many years as a trustee. He is also a member of the Grange. Mr. Hervey belongs to one of the pioneer families of Peoria county and has lived on his present farm since he was one and one-half years of age-a period of over sixty-two years. He is a prominent man in the business and social world of this community where almost his entire life has been passed and has here a large circle of friends, the stanchest of whom are those who have known him the longest.
CHARLES RODECKER.
Charles Rodecker, whose energy and enterprise have enabled him to build up a good dairy business at 2310 Perry street, Peoria, was born at Springfield, this state, on the 21st of August, 1873. He is a son of Joseph Rodecker, who came to Peoria from Zanesville, Ohio, in 1832, and after several years' resi- dence here removed to Springfield. From there he went to Beardstown, Illinois, and subsequently lived for a time in St. Louis, removing from the latter city to Peoria, where he made his home thereafter. He was a contractor and con- tinned to be actively identified with this occupation until age compelled his re- tirement.
The only child of his parents Charles Rodecker always lived at home. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools in the various places in which his family resided, terminating his student days upon his gradu- ation from the old Greeley school of Peoria. At the age of eighteen years he apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade in the shop of the Hart, Grain & Wergher Company, remaining in the service of that firm for ten years. He left their employ at the expiration of that time to take a place with the Colean Manufacturing Company and was identified with them until they went out of business in 1906. For a brief period thereafter he worked for the Herschel Manufacturing Company, and then resigned his position to engage. in business for himself. He opened his dairy business in 1906, beginning in a small way, but as he conducts his establishment in an intelligent manner, conforming to the highest sanitary regulations governing the traffic in dairy products, he has suc-
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