USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 57
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Alban B. Fink was only about two years of age at the time of his mother's deatlı. In 1858 he became a resident of Peoria, where he attended school for three years, but returned to Junction City, Ohio, about the time of the outbreak: of the Civil war. There he made his home with his sister and as a clerk entered the general merchandise store of his brother-in-law, Joseph B. Kircher. In 1866 he returned to Peoria, where he continued to reside. until his demise. He was prominently known in the business circles of the city becoming secretary of the old firm of Hart. Hitchcock & Company, and afterward secretary of the well- known firm of Ward, Selby & Spurck, plow manufacturers. This eventually became the firm of Selby, Starr & Company. He then became secretary of the Handbury Heater Company, conducting at the same time the business of the Diamond Meter Company, of which he was secretary and manager. About a year before his death, Mr. Fink organized the Peoria Metal Culvert Company in East Peoria and was made its president, continuing in that capacity until his demise.
In all his business dealings, Mr. Fink was characterized by the strictest honor, and the most unwavering integrity. An indefatigable worker, he gave his best efforts to his business, and its affairs were always conducted in a manner re- flecting upon him the greatest credit. He was noted for his aptitude in grappling with details, and for his accurate and keen perception and judgment. He was a splendid type of the alert, energetic, progressive business man, to whom ob- stacles were rather as an impetus to renewed labor than a bar to progress.
On the 26th of October. 1887, Mr. Fink was united in marriage to Miss Eva Louise Millemann, of New York city, who survives him. He left no chil- dren, the only surviving member of the family besides his widow is his brother, Michael J. Fink, now living in St. Louis. Mrs. Fink is a daughter of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth (Hammer) Millemann. Her father was born in Alsace- Vol. II-24
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Lorraine, Germany, February 29, 1800, and died in the United States, July 17, 1864. In this country he wedded Mary Elizabeth Hammer, who was born at Balsthal, Switzerland, November 11, 1810, and died April 6, 1863. She had come to the United States with her parents, who settled in New Jersey but afterward removed to New York city, where both her father and mother died.
In his political affiliations Mr. Fink was ever a republican. He held mem- bership with the Commercial Club of both Peoria and East Peoria. He was a devoted and practical Catholic all his life, and during most of his residence-in Peoria was attached to St. Mary's parish, now called the Cathedral parish. He held membership in various Catholic organizations of the city. He was one of the pioneer residents and business men of Peoria, where he resided for almost a half century, passing away here on May 29, 19II. His death marked the passing, not only of an honest business man, but of a scholar and a thinker. He was a deep reader, and interested intensely in all that pertained to the science of astronomy and geology, and was an honored member of the National Geo- graphical Society.
Mr. Fink was a gentleman of culture and refinement, which coupled with his genial manners and the warmth of his attachments to friends, secured him a high place in the affections and esteem of his circle of acquaintances. His heart was ever in sympathy with the sorrows of the unfortunate, and his hand ever ready to contribute to the alleviation of distress. But perhaps the richest and most beautiful traits of his character were his strong domestic sentiments and habits, which impelled him to seek his highest happiness in his home, and render him its joy and light. Around his home he shed a benign influence which was as the summer evening's glow upon the land, which the morning and noon had brightened and blessed. He died, leaving a record of which his family and friends are justly proud.
JAMES M. SHOLL.
The history of the organization and development of the firm of Sholl Broth- ers, extensive coal mine owners in Peoria county, with offices at 308 Woolner building in this city, goes back to pioneer times and is identified with the history of the state of Illinois. In 1837 a German boy, Adam Sholl, crossed the Atlantic and landed in New Orleans, where he resided for some time, waiting for naviga- tion to open on the Mississippi river. He finally made his way up the Missis- sippi to Peoria, Illinois, where he took up extensive tracts of timber and farm land and immediately engaged in clearing and cultivating his holdings. In com- pany with Harvey Lightner he gained possession of some of the most valuable land in central Illinois and at one time owned a corn field where the Peoria court- house now stands. When the partners severed their connection Adam Sholl took as his part of the land extensive timber tracts lying along the Illinois river. When these were cleared it was found that there was a rich deposit of coal under- neath the timber and this Adam Sholl developed into the most extensive coal mines in this part of the country. His holdings at this time were very large, and, being of a generous nature, he induced several of his relatives to come from Germany to aid him in clearing the land and putting it under cultivation and in developing his coal fields, and, by so doing, to participate in his prosperity. In this manner the comparatively useless tracts of land upon which he had first settled were soon turned into valuable and fertile farms and the deposits of coal which were found on a great number of them were rapidly developed into important mining interests. His mining enterprises soon grew out of all propor- tion to his agricultural holdings and he became known throughout the county as a dealer in coal and an extensive operator in this line of activity. Upon his death,
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in 1894, at the age of seventy-nine years, he had acquired a reputation that went beyond local limits as a good and public-spirited citizen.
The son, James M. Sholl, is a native of Limestone township, having been there born on January 4, 1848. He received his primary education in the country schools of that district and later was graduated from the Peoria high school. He spent some years immediately following in teaching school, later taking a course at the Professor White Normal School. He continued his occupation of teaching after his graduation from this institution until he was twenty-one years of age, when he became associated with his father in the extensive and rapidly developing coal-mining business with which he has been identified ever since. He is one of the dominating figures in the progress of the coal industry of Illinois and has a thorough knowledge of the mechanical details of mining and operating. He is active in the business and gives personal superintendence to the various branches of the numerous enterprises in which his firm is interested. He has in his employ in various districts of the county over three hundred miners and is responsible for the vast interests of which he is the head. When Adam Sholl died in 1894 he left to his son James a fifth interest in his property which was divided equally among his five children, his coal interests descending to his three sons, James, Henry and Samuel, who constitute the present firm of Sholl Broth- ers. For many years James Sholl has given the active interest of his life to the growth, development and progress of his own and his father's extensive enter- prises. He has added to his holdings year after year, showing shrewd discrimina- tion and a sound judgment in every new investment. He owns many valuable properties individually and has invested his money for the most part in Peoria real estate. He is a firm believer in the future of this city and never allows an opportunity to pass of expressing his faith in its future greatness. He is owner of several of the very finest apartment buildings in Peoria and is always ready with his aid and cooperation in anything looking toward municipal development. Politically he is a member of the republican party but beyond casting his vote for the party candidate at each election takes no active part in public affairs.
Mr. Sholl was married in 1873, to Miss Boisee R. Clauser, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Clauser, pioneer settlers of Tazewell county. They have two children : Pearl Aileen, the wife of J. W. McDowell, one of the most promi- nent real-estate men of his generation in the city of Peoria ; and Dr. J. Rex Sholl, a practicing physician of this city and at present health commissioner.
James M. Sholl is well known and widely popular in social circles of Peoria. He is a charter member of the Creve Coeur Club and active in the Peoria Country Club. He belongs to the Illinois Valley Yacht Club and is prominent in its many social activities. His genius for organization, his power in the management of men, his fair dealing and progressive business methods have developed the im- mense concern which he inherited from his father into the largest coal-mining interest of central Illinois. Mr. Sholl is a worthy son of a father whose career in business and social circles has added to the dignity and honor of the state of which he was a pioneer settler.
SAMUEL P. WINTERS.
Samuel P. Winters, who has been president and manager of the Winters Coal Company at Bartonville since 1893, was born in Peoria county on the 2d of September, 1859, a son of Samuel and Anna Winters. The father was a pio- neer agriculturist of this district, first coming to Limestone township in 1832. He came from Pittsburg via the Mississippi water route to St. Louis. From there he made the trip as far as possible on the Illinois river. He settled upon the farm which is now connected with the mining property of his son. He volunteered
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for service in the Civil war and served until the close of hostilities. He was honorably mustered out but never applied for a pension. He gave his political support to the democratic party and held the office of justice of the peace. His death occurred on the 13th of January, 1893, when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife died in 1897, at the age of seventy-five years, and they are both buried in the Hollis cemetery.
Samuel P. Winters pursued his education in the district schools and sub- sequently attended the public schools of Pittsburg. Because he was compelled to work at an early age he attended night school for several terms. At the age of fifteen years, however, he laid aside his text-books permanently and began assisting his father on the home farm. At that early age he had become inter- ested in mining and as soon as possible he identified himself with the F. J. Col- lier Coal Company. He was an officer and stockholder in that concern and did much to further its growth and prosperity. In 1893 he started the present Winters Coal Mine and incorporated the Winters Coal Company. He possesses intuitive judgment in regard to mining prospects and properties and their de- velopment, and his advice in mining operations is frequently sought. He has, however, not given his entire attention to mining operations, but has also iden- tified himself with real-estate interests. He owns a block in Bartonville and various other properties.
In November, 1885. Mr. Winters was married, in St. Louis, to Miss Eliza- beth Stone, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Stone, of St. Louis. The family reside in a beautiful home in Bartonville, which Mr. Winters erected some time ago. In politics he gives his support to the republican party and has served as a member of the board of education. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He is prominent in the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second degree. His has been a busy life and yet he has never allowed the demands of business to make him forgetful of the little courtesies which add so much to life's pleasures.
LAWRENCE F. FEUCHTER.
The firm of Edward Hine & Company has been for many years recognized as one of the most progressive and up-to-date printing establishments in Peoria. Active in its management, and one of the directors of its commercial policy, is Lawrence F. Feuchter, who has been secretary and treasurer of the concern since its incorporation in October, 1906. The energetic and efficient qualities of mind, the broad culture and the degree of education which the printing business requires are all dominating factors in the character of Lawrence F. Feuchter, and they raised him from a humble place in the trade to his present position. Mr. Feuchter is a native Peorian, having been born in that city, September 4, 1854. His parents were Lawrence and Katherine Feuchter, natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1852 and settled immediately in Peoria. The father was a carpenter by trade and was prominent in that line of activity during his career in this city up to the time of his death in March, 1909, at the age of eighty years. He was buried in Springdale cemetery, which is also the resting place of his wife who died in 1885.
The primary and public schools of Peoria afforded Lawrence Feuchter his first education which was completed by an eighteen months' course at a German school. He then entered upon a position in a printing establishment, a line of business with which he has been identified during his entire active career. He first entered the printing office of N. C. Nason, remaining there for five years and becoming thoroughly acquainted with the details of the trade. He became an
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expert pressman and his familiarity with the German language and his broad intelligence were valnable assets to him in his work. In 1874 he started as a press- man with the old Transcript Printing Company but gave up this position after one year to enter the office of H. S. Hill, where he remained in charge of the press room and the various details connected with that office, for nine years. In 1884 Mr. Edward Hine bought out the printing establishment of Mr. Nason and in partnership with Lawrence Feuchter founded the business which bears his name today. It grew with increasing rapidity each year and now is one of the largest general printing concerns in this city. The plant is constantly being added to and at present has a force of twenty-eight employes, all of whom are experts in their line.
Mr. Feuchter has never identified himself with any one political party, keeping his interest in public affairs beyond the limits of mere partisanship. He votes for the man whom he considers best fitted for the position but takes beyond this very little active part in politics. He was twice married. Ilis first wife was Miss Emma Kallerstrass, whom he married in Peoria in 1878 and who died four years later, leaving one son, Fred A., who is now associated with his father in busi- ness. In 1883, Mr. Feuchter married Miss Anna Oswald, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Oswald, the former for many years a prominent maltster of Peoria. Mr. Feuchter has four daughters by his second marriage: Annie, the wife of George Bernhardt, a farmer of Tazewell county; Louise, who is a graduate of the Greeley school of this city; Bertha, who is a graduate of the Peoria high school ; and Florence, who is now a student in that institution.
Mr. Feuchter has been a practical printer all of his life and his success in rising from a humble beginning to the position of secretary and treasurer of one of the largest firms of its kind in Peoria is the direct result of extraordinary ability and of power of continued and concentrated labor.
R. J. KYLE.
R. J. Kyle, who resides on his farm which is located on sections 7, 8 and 17 in Logan township, was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 23, 1849. His parents were William and Eleanor ( McIntyre) Kyle, both of whom were born in Adams county, the father on July 13, 1819, and the mother on July 23, 1824. They came to Peoria county in 1860, settling in Logan township where they pur- chased one hundred and six acres of land, which is the homestead on which R. J. Kyle of this review resides. In their family were eight children of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are: William G., who was born November 6, 1851, and is living near LaPorte, Indiana, where he is engaged in farming ; James Calvin, who was born March 20, 1853, and is a farmer in Trivoli township ; Thomas Franklin, who was born February 1, 1855, and is engaged in farming in Logan township; Joseph Herbert, who was born March 2, 1857, and is engaged in farming in Sedgwick county, Kansas; Albert, who was born February 29, 1859, and is a farmer in Trivoli township; Mary Eleanor, who was born May 28, 1861, and is living with our subject; and Charles B., who was born December 14, 1864, and died March 8, 1872.
R. J. Kyle, being only eleven years of age when his parents removed to Logan township, grew to manhood here and remained at home helping his father on the farm until 1872. He then rented land in Trivoli township and was engaged in farming the same for thirteen years. In 1885, at the death of his father. he returned to the old homestead, buying out the other heirs, and has since resided here. He purchased fifty-one adjoining acres, so that he now has a total of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in his farm. He cultivates yearly, about forty- five acres of corn, twelve acres of wheat, twenty acres of hay and thirty acres
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of oats, using the remainder for pasture. He is greatly interested in the raising of live stock, and is a member of the Aberdeen Angus Breeders' Association. He raises hogs, horses and Aberdeen Angus bred cattle quite extensively.
On the 11th of March, 1880, Mr. Kyle was united in marriage to Miss Ella B. Budd, who is a daughter of Charles and Annis G. (Shaw) Budd of Trivoli township. The father was born in New York state and the mother in Ohio. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Budd were seven children: Mrs. Etta D. John, of Cambridge, Henry county, this state; Mrs. Katie L. Hayes, of Canton, Illinois; Charles August, deceased; George M., who is a molder by trade and resides in Canton ; Mrs. Ella Kyle, the wife of our subject ; Mrs. Clara Greeg, of Canton; and William M., of Chanute, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle have become the parents of eight children : Guy W., born January 1, 1881, a resident of Wichita, Kansas; Edna B., born December 22, 1882, the wife of Mr. Showalter, a farmer residing near Wichita; Debert, born September 27, 1884, telegraph operator and agent at Brighton, Iowa; Ada L., born October 29, 1887, who has completed a teachers' course at the State Normal School and is teaching her fourth term in the Patton school; Georgia B., born December 8, 1889, who has also completed a teachers' course and is now teaching in the Pleasant Grove school; Harry E., who was born September 30, 1891, and is a clerk in a general merchandise store at Eden in Logan township; Florence B., born March 7, 1894, who received a diploma in the common school, attended high school one year and is now at home; and Gladys M., born April 5, 1901, now attending the common school.
Mr. Kyle gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is inter- ested in its success and welfare. In all his business and social relations he is straightforward and reliable, enjoying the full confidence of those with whom he is associated. He is a worthy representative of that class of men who believe in doing unto others as they wish others to do unto them.
LEWIS ALBERT MCFADDEN.
The consensus of public opinion places Dr. Lewis A. McFadden in a posi- tion of distinction not only as a representative of the medical profession but also as a man in his relations to his fellowmen and to his city and country. He held to the high purpose of making his life a serviceable factor in the world's work, and his history is another proof of the fact that no line of business is as little commercialized as the medical profession. He was born March 16, 1848, at the old family homestead about six miles from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. The family, however, was established on American soil when this country was still numbered among the colonial pos- sessions of Great Britain, and representatives of the name rendered valiant serv- ice in the Revolutionary war, and again in the War of 1812. In the year 1765 John McFadden, the grandfather of Dr. McFadden, sailed from Belfast, Ire- land, for the United States, being at that time a youth of fifteen years. He was led to this step by the fact that two of his brothers had previously come to Amer- ica, one settling in New York where he reared a large family, while the other resided for a short period in Virginia and then became a resident of Maine where some of his descendants are still living. John McFadden established his home in western Pennsylvania, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Miss Mary McMichaels, who was born in the Keystone state of Scotch-Irish lineage. They became pioneer residents of western Pennsylvania, settling near the present city of Pittsburg which was then called Fort Duquesne. He pur- chased several tracts of land in that locality which in time he converted into valuable farms. In that period, however, many hardships and difficulties in- cidental to pioneer life had to be met. There was constant danger of attacks by
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DR. L. A. McFADDEN
PULRIG LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILOEN FOUNDATIONS.
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Indians, and a sister of Mrs. John McFadden was killed during an Indian raid within a very short distance of her own home, and a young boy by her side also met death on that occasion. John McFadden contributed to the substantial up- building of the district, however, and aided in reclaiming it for the purpose of civilization. He continued to make his home in western Pennsylvania until his demise, which occurred November 7, 1836, while his wife survived him until June 21, 1850, and died at the age of eighty-six.
Their son, John McFadden, Jr., father of the Doctor, was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1807, and inherited the old farm homestead six miles from Pittsburg where he resided for many years. To that home he took his bride, Rachel Mc- Cormick, whom he wedded December 19, 1837. She, too, was a native of the Keystone state, born in 1819, and unto them were born seven sons and three daughters of whom one died in childhood, while Joseph D. McFadden was killed in a railroad wreck at Chatsworth, Illinois, August 10, 1887. Two brothers of Dr. McFadden are still living: John Wilkinson, a general merchant of Vir- ginia, Missouri; and M. Thomas, a retired farmer now residing in Nevada. Of the three daughters of the family one died in girlhood, and the others are: Mrs. Mary Anneta Tombes, of Los Angeles, California : and Mrs. Sallie Jane Pendle- ton, of Placentia, California. The father of this family died February II, 1870, and the mother passed away August 25, 1873.
The ancestral history of Dr. McFadden in the maternal line is an interesting one. His grandfather, William McCormick, was born at sea while his parents were enroute from the north of Ireland to the United States. He spent his youthful days in western Pennsylvania where the family home was established, and following his marriage to Miss Margaret Wilkinson of that locality he be- came proprietor of an inn on the main-traveled road leading southward from Fort Duquesne. This was largely patronized by influential men of the state and was one of the notable hostelries of the early days. William McCormick be- came an influential man of his community and was also an officer in the War of 1812. His wife was a sister of General Wilkinson, a distinguished military leader who, at the time of the inauguration of the war for independence, was studying medicine. In 1775 he joined a rival company at Boston and soon after- ward was made captain of a company of New Hampshire troops. He was with Arnold in Canada in 1776, and he afterward became adjutant general on the staff of General Gates. The next year he was made secretary of the board of war but resigned because of trouble with General Gates. In 1791 he led a regi- ment against the Wabash Indians and the following year was made brigadier general and placed in command of the right wing of Wayne's army at the battle of Maumee. He was connected with the effort to thwart the conspiracy of Aaron Burr against the government, and in 1805-06 he served as governor of Louisiana. With headquarters at New Orleans he conducted operations against the Spaniards, and in 1813 captured Mobile, while subsequently he fought the British' in Canada and on the northern frontier. He spent the latter years of his life in Mexico, dying near the city of Mexico in 1818.
The life record of Dr. McFadden did credit to an honorable and distinguished ancestry. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm near Pittsburg, and the common schools of the district afforded him his educational privileges until he reached the age of eighteen when he entered the Normal School at Leb- anon, Ohio. Subsequently he went to Graham Station in western Virginia where he engaged in teaching for several terms, spending a part of the time as principal of the schools of New Haven. He was twenty-two years of age when he resumed his studies in the college at Marietta, Ohio, and two years afterward matriculated in Mount Union College where he continued until 1879 when he entered Miami College, taking a progressive course. His professional training was received in the Kentucky School of Medicine of Louisville, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1881. He at once entered upon active practice, open-
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