Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 56

Author: Rice, James Montgomery, 1842-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 56


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G. A. SMITH


THE . EW YORK PUBLIC LIDHARY


ASTIM. . TILDEN FUI


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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY


chairman of the Peoria & Pekin committee of the Central Freight Association and the Illinois Freight committee.


On the Toth of May, 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jennie Cochran, a daughter of James II. Cochran, a hotel man of Montezuma, Indiana, and they are the parents of two children : Marguerite, who is living at home ; and George G., a youth of seventeen years, who is also at home.


Mr. Smith is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, and he also belongs to Temple Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and he is likewise affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He possesses the landable ambition and persistency of purpose that invariably win recognition when accompanied by loyalty and efficiency such as he has always manifested.


HOMER COLLINS LINES.


Honesty was ever the watchword of Homer Collins Lines and public opinion stamped him as a man of excellent character as well as of splendid business ability. He was prominently known in the financial circles of Peoria for many years, serving for almost a quarter of a century as cashier of the banking house of Zell, Hotchkiss & Company. Characterization is a difficult task owing to the many incidents and interests which enter into the life of every individual, but there is no dissenting to the opinion that in all that constitutes the upright man and citizen Homer C. Lines was richly endowed. He was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1836, and was a brother of the late Calvin C. Lines of the Peoria National Bank. In his native town he pursued his education and early found employment there as a clerk in a general store, thus providing for his own living. After a short time, however, he sought business opportunities else- where, removing to Circleville, Ohio, where he spent about six years in various occupations. From each experience in life he learned the lesson that it contained, and from his faithful performance of each day's duties he found courage and inspiration for the work of the succeeding day.


The year 1859 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Lines in Peoria, and his financial condition rendered it imperative that he secure immediate employment. He sought and obtained work in the office of the Robinson Flour Mills. He was then a young man of twenty-three years, resolutely determined and ambitious. Grad- ually, as the years passed, he advanced in the business world and in 1877 he be- came associated with the banking house of Zell, Hotchkiss & Company. His ability won him promotion to the position of cashier; in which capacity he served for twenty-two years, making for himself a most creditable and enviable position in the financial circles of the city. It has been said that no one is more com- petent to speak of the characteristics of an individual than his business associates, those who see him in the stress of life where every possible circumstance makes demand upon his time, his patience, his energies and his ability. In speaking of Mr. Lines' characteristics Mr. Zell, head of the banking house, referred to his sturdy nature, his good business judgment, his conservatism, his excellent character and his unfaltering integrity. He not only felt that honesty was the best policy but pursued a straightforward course because he believed it to be right. He thoroughly mastered whatever he undertook, and therefore when he entered the field of banking it was with the determination to acquaint himself with every feature of the business. He contributed to the success of the institu- tion with which he was so long connected by reason of his clear insight and his indefatigable energy. The banking officials always found him obliging and ready, and the patrons of the institution knew him to be a most courteous representative.


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On the 19th of November, 1885, Mr. Lines was married to Miss Anna Wright, a daughter of Joseph and Theodosia (Rork) Wright, who were natives of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, but came to Peoria on the 5th of April, 1848, casting their lot with the early settlers here. The father was a pioneer builder and brick mason, and aided in the erection of many of the early homes and business blocks of the city. At one time he was the owner of eleven acres of land now situated in the business section of the city, and he platted two additions to Peoria. His daughter, Mrs. Lines, was married in Peoria, and for many years she has had an extensive acquaintance in this city, the growth and development of which she has largely witnessed. By her marriage she became the mother of one child, Isabella S., who is a graduate of Goucher College at Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Lines was a man of firm convictions and never deviated from a course which he believed to be right. He possessed, however, much sympathy, was kindly in manner and considerate of the opinions of others. His political support was given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. His life conformed to the high standards of the First Methodist Episcopal church in which he held membership. He served as president of its board of trus- tees and was superintendent of its Sunday school for many years, putting forth every possible effort to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church as a factor in the moral progress of the community. His ready repartee and quick wit made him a most entertaining companion, and his circle of friends was a very extensive one. He was yet in the prime of life when called to the home beyond, passing away at Fish Creek, Wisconsin, January 7, 1899. He left with his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. The memory of his companionship, his consideration, devotion and love is very dear to those who were near to him. In all his life record there was nothing sinister and nothing to conceal. He did not fear close investigation of a single page of his life history, for he had ever endeavored to render capable service in business, to faithfully perform his duties of citizenship and in friendship was loyal.


JAMES GREEN.


James Green, who since 1905 has resided on his farm of eighty acres ill Rosefield township, was born February 5, 1845, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were Lawson and Sarah (Baker) Green, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania and passed all their lives there. In their family were nine children, of whom James was the fourth in order of birth.


James Green received his education in Pittsburg and remained at home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, when, in 1860, he came to Peoria county, where he was employed as a farm hand for four years, receiving a competence of two hundred dollars per year. In 1864 he returned to Pittsburg and enlisted in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Second Brigade, Second Di- vision, under General Philip Sheridan. He was in the battle fought from Pittsburg to Richmond, a distance of forty-five miles. At the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865, the Second Brigade, Second Division of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps took charge of Lynchburg, Virginia, until the war ended and Mr. Green re- mained there until his discharge. In December, 1865, Mr. Green returned to Peoria and again hired out as a farm hand, remaining there until 1870, when he went back to Pittsburg, where he spent six years. In 1876 he again located in Peoria, where he worked until 1878 as a carpenter with a bridge gang on a rail- road. Subsequently he was in the employ of the Woodruff Ice Company for five years. In 1883 he became a member of the police force in Peoria and served a terin of five years. In 1894 he was elected constable of Peoria township, an office which he filled for four years, and during this period was appointed by


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Cyrus L. Berry, deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for fourteen con- secutive years. In 1905 he bought his present farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Rosefield township. It has on it a coal mine which supplies the farm- ers for miles around.


On the 29th of December, 1869, Mr. Green wedded Miss Rebecca A. Race, who is a daughter of William and Mary A. ( Frazier ) Race, of Peoria. To Mr. and Mrs. Green have been born five children: William Edward, deceased ; Charles C., born July 27, 1874; Ilarry J., born September 10, 1882, who is super- intendent of the coal mine on his father's farm; Myrtle E., deceased; and Wilber Morgan, born April 10, 1894, who is now helping to operate his father's farm ..


Mr. Green gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is inter- ested in its success and welfare. He has been road commissioner for three years and is now serving as township supervisor, being elected in 1911. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In whatever relation we find him, whether in his official capacity, in business or in social life, he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman whose worth well merits the high regard which is given him.


H. L. HOLT.


H. L. Holt, who is connected with the agricultural interests of Logan town- ship, was born in Rosefield township on October 5, 1866. His parents were T. J. and Eliza ( Morris) Holt, the father having been born near Manchester, Eng- land, in 1839, and the mother in 1841. In 1843 T. J. Holt came to America with his parents James W. and Ellen ( Wilds ) Flolt, who settled in Rosefield township, Peoria county, where they entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land. He remained on the homestead with his parents until the age of twenty when he rented eighty acres in Rosefield township and was there engaged in farming until 1863. At that date he enlisted in the army, serving un- til the close of the war when he returned to Peoria county and later went to Livingston county where he engaged in farming. In 1870 he removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. but after five years returned to Peoria county and resided on a rented farm until 1893. He then went to Kansas where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, but after a year was again in Peoria county where he rented a farm and resided until 1909, at which date he removed to Eden. Here his wife died on March 7, 1912, and he lives now with his son, Robert M., at Hanna City. In his family were eight children: Mrs. Maggie Andrews, of McLean county. Illinois ; H. L., of this review ; Mrs. Nellie Copper of Rawlins county, Kansas ; H1. J., of McLean county ; Mrs. Nettie Collins, of Rice county, Kansas; Mrs. Sadie Fuller, of Knox county ; R. M., of Logan township ; and Mrs. Katie Wat- son, who resided in Eden and died there December 10, 1910, at the age of twenty-nine years.


H. L. Holt was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age when he removed to Kansas where he home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, but after three years returned to Peoria county, renting the John Hart farm of two hundred acres where he now resides. He engages extensively in raising corn, wheat, oats and hay, and also raises yearly a number of horses, hogs and cattle.


On the 11th of October, 1893, Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Green, who was a resident of Rosefield township. They have become the par- ents of three children: Everette W., aged seventeen: Ruth Elizabeth, aged twelve ; and Thomas E., aged nine. In politics Mr. Holt is independent and be- lieves in voting for the man best qualified to fill the office. Socially he is iden-


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tified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is energetic and industrious, using the latest methods in his farming, is a progressive citizen, and is widely and favorably known in his community.


ALLEN ROSECRANS.


Allen Rosecrans, who is one of the successful and progressive farmers of Logan township, was born in Ohio on June 13, 1853, the son of J. W. and Eliza (Fisher) Rosecrans, both of whom were natives of that state. In 1870 the father moved to Peoria county, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, forty of it being in timber, in Rosefield township, located two and one-half miles north of Hanna City. He resided on this farm the remainder of his life, dying in 1885, at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother passed away August 3, 1911, at the age of eighty-three.


Allen Rosecrans was reared under the parental roof and operated his father's farm from 1870 to 1897, when he moved to a farm known as the Cyrus Patton place, on which he now resides. It consists of one hundred acres, which he has rented for the past fifteen years, and in addition he also rents one hundred and sixty acres belonging to the Applegate & Lewis Coal Company. He engages extensively in general agriculture and is known as one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of the community.


Mr. Rosecrans wedded Miss Corine McVicker and to them have been born the following children : Charles Albert; Luella May and Clara, both of whom are married ; Emma, deceased; Frank and Ada, both of whom are at home; and Maud, who for the past seven years has been engaged in teaching school, having received her education in the State Normal School. The mother of these cliil- dren has since passed away, greatly mourned by her family and a host of friends. In politics Mr. Rosecrans belongs to the republican party, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a stalwart friend of the cause of education and in fact is known throughout the entire community as a representative agriculturist and a citizen whose support can be counted upon to further any measure or movement that will promote the welfare and pros- perity of the county.


CHARLES A. KIMMEL.


One of the well known attorneys at law in Peoria, who lias practiced his pro- fession for many years in this city and who has built up an enviable professional reputation is Charles A. Kimmel, with offices at No. 327 Main street. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1851, the son of Samuel S. and Martha A. (Johnston) Kimmel. The father was for many years engaged in merchandising at Stoyestown, Pennsylvania, and died when the subject of this review was three years of age. After the death of the father the mother removed to Peoria, Illinois, where she lived until her death, which occurred in 1901. The father was buried in a cemetery in Berrien county, Michigan, while the mother's remains are interred in Springdale cemetery, at Peoria.


Coming to Peoria at the age of five years, Charles A. Kimmel received his first educational training in the public and high schools of this city. He later attended the Peoria Normal School and worked on the home farm in Richwood township, Peoria county, from 1867 to 1869. When the mother and sons settled in Peoria county they had the distinction of riding on the first Rock Island train from Chicago which ran through to Peoria in 1856. From that time the subject


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of this review has made his residence continuously in Peoria county. In 1869 he was employed in Stark county, Illinois, and in Toulon, that county, took a teachers' examination, which he passed satisfactorily. He then began teaching school and at the same time studied law under the supervision of Johnson & Hopkins. In the spring of 1873 he gave up the profession of teaching and devoted his entire time to studying in the law office of Johnson & Hopkins, with whom he remained until 1874, when, passing the required examination before the supreme court at Mount Vernon, he was admitted to the bar. in 1875 he established offices in the Bryan building, on Main street, Peoria, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession. From 1874 to 1885 he served continuously as justice of the peace. He belongs to the Peoria Bar Association and takes an active interest in the affairs of that organization.


In December, 1887, Mr. Kimmel was married in Peoria to Miss Jessie B. Henderson, a daughter of Adam and Margaret B. Henderson, and to them two children have been born: Bessie M., who is now the wife of Charles A. Doo- little, an electrician ; and Charles H., a law student.


The political allegiance of Mr. Kimmel is given to the republican party and he is actively interested in political matters affecting the state and nation. Hle is a blue lodge Mason and belongs to Charter Oak Camp, M. W. A., having been one of its first members. The family residence is at No. 600 Fourth avenue, a comfortable home which Mr. Kimmel erected in 1890. During his long and successful professional career in Peoria he has become acquainted with practically all the people of the county and his reputation is such that causes are committed to his professional care with the utmost confidence that they will receive careful and skilful attention. The practice which he has built up is a very gratifying one, his success having been assured from the time he began the practice of his profes- sion in Peoria.


DANIEL TULLY.


Daniel Tully, who since 1905 has been engaged in the mercantile business at Elmwood, where he is numbered as one of the progressive and industrious citizens of the town, was born in Lewiston, August 14, 1868. The father died when Daniel Tully was only a few months old and the mother when he was six and one-half years old, so that he remembers practically nothing of his own parents. At the age of seven he was adopted by Michael and Rose ( Mclntyre) Tully, of Elmwood, having been brought to them by a Catholic priest who at that time had charge of the parish at Elmwood. Michael and Rose ( Mclntyre) Tully, were both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Cavan in 1824, and the latter in County Donegal in 1832. While in their youth they emigrated to America, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and about 1866 they came to Elmwood, where the husband was employed as a day laborer. He was always an honorable, industrious and popular man and both he and his wife were devont members of the Catholic church. In 1874 they adopted Daniel Tully, of this review, and reared him as carefully and tenderly as they would have their own son. They resided in Elmwood until their death, Michael Tully dying January 25. 1905, while his wife had passed away several years before, on October 8, 1898.


Daniel Tully grew to manhood in Elmwood, where he received a common- school education, and on laying aside his text-books began running a dummy engine which was used on the spur between the Phelps coal mine and the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, to haul trainloads of coal. He was in this work for four years, after which he was employed for fifteen years at different places as a stationary engineer. Subsequently he was connected with the Elm-


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wood waterworks for one year and then was employed in the Elmwood electric light plant for six years. In 1905 he engaged in his present business.


On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Tully was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Zarges, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, December 8, 1871, the daughter of Henry and Mary Zarges, both of whom died when their daugh- ter was only a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Tully have become the parents of three promising children : Henry, who is one of the leaders of his class in school; Lauretta ; and Daniel, Jr. In politics Mr. Tully is a democrat but, being broad in his views, he believes in voting for the man best qualified to fill the office, and both he and his wife adhere to the faith of the Catholic church. All who know him have for him the highest regard, for he is always courteous, kind and amiable. His marked characteristics are those of a loyal citizen and of a pro- gressive business man and fidelity to friends and home.


ALBAN BENEDICT FINK.


It may be said with a great deal of truth that the lives of our successful bus- iness men furnish a more satisfactory and practical illustration of "history teaching by example" than any other to which the attention of our young men can be directed, especially that large class of young men who, unbefriended and alone, are compelled to strike out in the bleak world to find, or make their fu- ture sphere and home. While rich and poor live alike in abundance-the former in wealth and the latter in hope-it is the great end of a successful life to en- courage others to a like achievement.


Among the men of this stamp, whose foresight in business matters contri- buted largely to gain for Peoria her present position, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, Alban B. Fink. He was the type of. the American man of business, shrewd, unflinchingly honest, liberal, charitable, remarkably un- selfish, and kind to all. His character was a happy combination of strength and gentleness. There is perhaps no citizen of Peoria upon whom the consensus of opinion would unite with more unanimity as to the possession of ability, integ- rity and general trustworthiness than upon Mr. Fink. Firm, independent, self- reliant, he was ever courteous, always ready to listen to sensible suggestions. and after having listened, possessed of that strong common sense, rare judgment and wide experience which preclude error:


Alban Benedict Fink led a busy, useful and honorable life, characterized by marked devotion to the Catholic church, in which was embodied the faith of his ancestors. He was born in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, July 7, 1847. Tradition has it that the family are descended from a baron von Finck. It is definitely known, however, that the name was originally written von Finck, and that John Finck, the grandfather, dropped the "von" from his name when he came to America and his sons eliminated the "c." The first named was born in the Palatinate in southwestern Germany and with other members of the family went down the Rhine, making his way via Hamburg to Cowes, England, and thence to America, which was the usual course of travel in those days. The exact date of emigration is uncertain but information at hand places the removal in the decade between 1720 and 1730, when between thirty and forty thousand Germans landed in Philadelphia and thence removed to different parts of Penn- sylvania. John Finck served in the Revolutionary war as a member of the Con- tinental army and his four eldest sons were soldiers in the War of 1812. It was about the year 1804 that John Finck removed with his family of twelve from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he received a grant of land from the government. Upon the farm, he founded the town of Somerset in Perry county and became a prominent and influential pioneer resident of that part of the state. His son


ALBAN B. FINK


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LEMON AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.


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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY


Adam Fink, the father of Alban B. Fink, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800 and was, therefore, only about four years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Ohio. At one time, he served as a captain, in the Ohio State Militia. As a business man, he became well known in Perry county, forming a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Henry Dittoe, for the conduct of a merchandise establishment in Somerset. He purchased his goods in Baltimore and other eastern points and transported them over the old National road to Ohio. At one time the firm of Fink & Dittoe had as a clerk in their establishment a youth by the name of Phil H. Sheridan, who remained with them until he entered the West Point Military Academy as a cadet and in time became General Phil Sheri- dan of Civil war fame. Adam Fink, who had been appointed a lieutenant of the Ohio Militia by Governor Jeremiah Morrow in 1818, was serving as cap- tain of his company at the time of the outbreak of the Mexican war, but being incapacitated for active field duty, he did not go to the front. At one time he lived in Peoria, representing the house of Thomas Drake, who owned one of the largest woolen and piece-goods manufactories in Ohio, the business being located at Circleville. As the representative of Mr. Drake, Mr. Fink remained in Peoria from 1854 until 1857, conducting his business on Fulton between Water and Washington streets. Subsequently, however, he returned to Ohio, where his death occurred in 1866. For a long period he had survived his wife who had passed away in 1849. The Fink family were stanch Catholics, the first mass in the state of Ohio being celebrated in the home of John Finck, Sr. Alice (Du- gan ) Fink, the mother of Alban B. Fink, was born in Pennsylvania and was the daughter of a pioneer Irish Catholic family of Zanesville, Ohio. Alban B. Fink held strictly to the faith of his fathers during his long life. His religion was his supreme concern. He was an indefatigable worker in its interests. No call was ever made .upon him in behalf of his church, that he did not gladly answer. His religion colored his life, and made him a good citizen and a Chris- tian gentleman.




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