USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 58
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ing an office in Aurora, Texas. In 1883 he was elected alderman of the town and served for two years, his popularity being indicated by the fact that he re- ceived the highest number of votes cast for any candidate on either ticket. He thus figured prominently in the political life as well as the professional circles of Aurora until his removal to Missouri, where he again assumed a large prac- tice and held public office, being appointed postmaster during President Cleve- land's first administration. In 1886 he took a special course at Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore in diseases of the throat and chest, eye and ear.
Dr. McFadden became a resident of Peoria in 1887 and again his ability soon gained recognition in a large and growing practice. His worth as a man and citizen was also recognized, and in 1888, without his solicitation or knowledge, James Dolan placed his name before the city council in connection with the can- didacy for membership on the board of health, and by a unanimous vote he was elected to the office. The following year, 1889, he was appointed county physi- cian by the board of supervisors at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per year, and at the expiration of his term was reelected to serve two more years at a salary of eighteen hundred dollars per annum. For a third term of two years he was chosen to the office, and his record in that position was ever a most cred- itable one. In 1894 he was appointed pension examiner and in 1896 was elected alderman of the old first ward, his progressiveness and fidelity in office winning recognition in a reelection in 1898. Once more he was called to office by appoint- ment by Mayor Bryan in October, 1901, when he was made health commissioner for the city. He also served as high physician for the Independent Order of Foresters for the state of Illinois. All through these years he enjoyed a good private practice and kept in touch with the advanced work of the profession as research and scientific investigation constantly brought to light truths of marked value in professional service. He was made examiner for the Phoenix Life In- surance Company and also the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in all professional relations his service was of a most valuable character. Hc served as vice president of the Peoria Medical Society and was an active member in the State Medical Society. He served on the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital, and on no occasion was he ever known to fail to respond to the call of the sick or needy. His professional duties were discharged with as great alacrity for the poor as for the rich. He possessed a most kindly and sympathetic nature, and his helpful spirit prompted him to render professional aid to any who might need it, even when he knew that no financial remuneration could be expected.
Dr. McFadden was most pleasantly situated in his home life, having been happily married on the 24th of December, 1872, to Miss Rachel V. Richey, of Apple Grove, Ohio, a daughter of A. J. and Phebe (Sayre) Richey. She came of the same ancestry as George Washington, her grandmother having been Eliza- beth Ball who married Eli Sayre, and was a second cousin of Martha ( Ball) Washington, the mother of America's foremost patriot. To Dr. and Mrs. Mc- Fadden four children were born: Una May, born April 29, 1878, who is the wife of Frank Harrison; Goldie Beatrice, born March 30, 1883, the wife of Lester F. Knisely of Peoria; Walton, born August 1, 1885, who died June 15, 1893 ; and Thomas J., born August 4, 1891, at home with his mother. Dr. Mc- Fadden was devoted and loyal in friendship, but his best traits of character were ever reserved for his own home and fireside. He was a devoted husband and father and found his greatest happiness in administering to the welfare of his wife and children. Dr. and Mrs. McFadden were members of the Methodist church. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Maccabees, the Foresters, the National Union and many other fraternal organizations, and exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit upon which these different societies are founded. He greatly enjoyed art, music and travel, and was also a lover of books. He read
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broadly and thought deeply, and from his reading as well as from the practical experiences of everyday life, he gleaned many valuable lessons. In matters of citizenship he stood for all that is most progressive, while in his profession he held to high ideals. Countless instances are told of his charity, not only in giv- ing professional but also material aid to those at whose sick bed he administered. Ile had the reputation of rendering more gratuitous medical service than any other physician in the city. His heart reached out in sympathy to all mankind and his broad humanitarianism was again and again manifest in tangible ways. It was not a matter of marvel therefore, that the deepest regret was felt on every hand when he was called from this life on the 16th day of October, 1910. Young and old, rich and poor, mourned his death. Peoria felt the loss of a prominent progressive citizen.
ADOLPH WOOLNER.
While Peoria numbers many self-made men among her citizens none have ever in larger measure deserved or commanded the admiration and high regard of their fellow townsmen because of business ability and charitable purpose than Adolph Woolner. He stood notable among those who have won success by their own efforts and yet the attainment of wealth was not the chief aim and end of his life. He rejoiced in his prosperity because of the opportunity which it gave him to aid others and few there are who have been more generous with their means. Wherever he was known he made friends and it was thus that the death of Adolph Woolner brought the deepest regret into many of Peoria's homes. He was born in Szenitz, Hungary, on the 29th of June, 1841. His father was a distiller of that country and a man of considerable means and prominence. He was enabled to provide his son with good educational advantages, the latter becoming a student in the University of Vienna, Austria, where liberal intellectual training prepared him to meet the many responsibilities and duties that devolved upon him in later life.
It was in the year 1863 that Adolph Woolner came to the United States. While he had had good advantages in his youth he brought with him no capital to aid him in starting out in the new world. He made his way to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was soon afterward joined by his brothers, Ignatius and Samuel. Ile became connected with the yeast manufacturing industry as an employe, and then conducted a business on his own account. In 1870 the brothers removed from Louisville to Peoria and for two years thereafter continued in the manufacture of yeast for distillers. In 1872 they embarked in the distilling business for themselves. The firm was composed of Adolph, Samuel, Ignatius, Jacob and M. H. Woolner, all of whom were born in Hungary. Their business grew rapidly, being founded along substantial lines, and the Woolner distilleries are today among the largest in the world. Adolph Woolner became the vice president of the business which was conducted under the name of the Distillers & Cattle Feeders Company, while upon its reorganization the style of the Wool- ner Distilling Company was adopted. As success attended their efforts the broth- ers becante prominent factors in business circles in other connections. Adolph Woolner has been termed the most remarkable member of a remarkable family. It seemed that everything he attempted succeeded and yet a careful analyzation of his career shows that his advancement had its root in close application, unfal- tering energy, keen insight and honorable business methods. He figured in finan- cial circles of the city as one of the directors of the Merchants National Bank, and he was also a director of the Bank of Commerce in Chicago. He was sec- retary of the Peoria Grape Sugar Company and at one time was president of the Peoria Board of Trade. As he progressed in his undertaking he made extensive
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and judicial investment in real estate until his large holdings returned to him a handsome profit. His plans were carefully formulated and he possessed in a remarkable degree the ability to coordinate forces and bring them into a harmoni- ous whole.
In June, 1865, in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Woolner was married to Miss Antonia Black, a native of Hungary, and a daughter of S. Black. The family was a prominent one in that country and also in Cleveland, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Woolner were born three sons and a daughter: Samuel, who married Martha Moses ; W. B., who married Hannah Woolner; Alfred C., who married Rose Woolner; and Henrietta, the wife of Herman Barr.
Ere lie left his native land Mr. Woolner had military experience as a soldier in the war between Austria-Hungary and Italy. His political affiliations were with the democratic party but the honors of office had no attraction for him. He was, however, a participant and one of the leaders in every movement and project that pertained to Peoria's upbuilding over twenty years ago. He was one of the original owners of the Woolner building, which was the first large office building erected in Peoria. This, and many other specific evidences of his deep interest in the city, and his belief in its future, could be cited, for his activi- ties placed him in a prominent position among those who have contributed to its advancement. He was a member of Illinois Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Hebrew congregation of Anshai Emeth, and was also connected with two Jewish secret societies, the B'nai Brith and Kesher Shel Barzel. Mr. Woolner, a genial man of gracious manner, affable and easy to approach, was possessed not only of a great mind but also of a great heart, being notably liberal and charitable. He assisted several of his nephews to the extent of ten or fifteen thousand dollars, giving freely whenever aid was asked, and without hesitation or objection. To organized charitable movements he was a generous contributor and Peoria found him a public-spirited citizen who was deeply and helpfully interested in her welfare. Perhaps no better criterion of a man's character can be had than the feeling entertained for him by his employes, and it was a well known fact that all who were in Mr. Woolner's service liked him while those who had business dealings with him entertained for him the highest regard.
JOHN W. HEURING.
John W. Heuring, who owns and operates a neat, fish, poultry and oyster market at 205 South Madison street, Peoria, was born in Carmi, Illinois, on the 19th of July, 1873.
Reared in the town of his birth in the acquirement of his education John W. Heuring attended the public schools, later pursuing a commercial course in a business college at Rock Island, from which institution he was graduated in 1893. He began his business career at the age of twelve years, as a clerk in a grocery store in Carmi where he worked before and after school and on Satur- days. Immediately after leaving college, at the age of twenty years, he was made manager of the L. E. West Company of Rock Island, Illinois, being iden- tified with this establishment for five years. At the expiration of that time he became associated with his father in the establishment of a meat market at Mackinaw, this state. Four years later he withdrew from this and coming to Peoria went to work for Charles Webber as manager of his Adams street shop. He resigned this position at the end of a year to enter the employ of J. A. Eng- strom, whom he bought out in 1909. Mr. Heuring is a business man of varied experience and was well qualified to develop and promote this enterprise and is meeting with success. He keeps a good assortment of fresh and cured meats, fish, game and poultry, the quality of which is above question while his prices
J. W. HEURING
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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are reasonable. Ilis customers are accorded courteous and considerate treat- ment, it being his policy to strive to accommodate every patron of his estab- lishment if possible, as he considers that this is the best mode of advertising. His shop is neat in appearance and kept in a thoroughly sanitary condition, being equipped with an excellent system of refrigeration and every appliance and con- venience required in the handling of a stock of this kind.
At Rock Island, Illinois, on the 13th of September, 1893. Mr. Heuring was united in marriage to Miss Maud Crandall, a daughter of Mrs. Augusta Cran- dall, of that city, and they have become the parents of one son, Leigh, who is now twelve years of age.
Fraternally Mr. Ileuring is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. and in politics he is a Republican. He is meeting with the success that inva- riably crowns industry and enterprise when intelligently applied and capably di- rected, and is a worthy representative of the commercial fraternity of the city.
LUTHY & LOCHER.
Luthy & Locher, wholesale dealers in fruits, vegetables and produce, located at 125 and 127 South Washington street, Peoria, are operating one of the most thriving commission houses in the city. This enterprise was originally founded by P. Auer & Company but was purchased in 1903 by Carroll, Luthy & Locher and operated under that name for six years. At the expiration of that period. in 1909, Mr. Carroll withdrew from the business, his interest being purchased by Luthy & Locher, the present owners, who have ever since been conducting it under that name. They are both business men of enterprising and indus- trious methods, who by reason of their close application, sagacity and foresight have managed to greatly extend the scope of their activities during the period of their ownership. Their thorough knowledge of the business, progressive ideas and excellent business policy have enabled them to build up a good trade and they now give employment to fifteen men and use four teams in their de- livery department. The firm stands high in the esteem of local commercial circles and is recognized as one of the most substantial and firmly established concerns of the kind in the city.
Fritz G. Luthy, senior partner of the firm of Luthy & Locher, was born in Appenzell, Switzerland, on the 8th of October, 1872, and is a son of Gottfried Luthy. The father was likewise a native of Switzerland and there he followed the wagon maker's trade.
In the acquirement of his education Fritz G. Luthy attended the common schools of his native land and after the completion of his studies he entered the wagon shops. He remained in his native land until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, when at the earnest solicitation of his friends who assured him that he could find much better opportunities in a business way in America than in Europe, he decided to come to the United States. He located in Peoria, which was his destination in 1896, and immediately thereafter found employ- ment in the produce house of P. Auer & Company. From his earliest childhood he had been trained in habits of thrift and industry and out of his salary he managed to save sufficient means to later enable him to buy stock in the company. He remained in the employ of this firm until 1903, when he became associated with his friends, Mr. Carroll and Mr. Locher, in the purchase of the business of P. Auer & Company. Mr. Luthy is a man of many excellent qualities and is held in high regard by all who have dealings with him and numbers many friends among the business men of his acquaintance.
In Appenzell, Switzerland, on the 21st of August, 1893, Mr. Luthy was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Saxer, and to them has been born one daughter,
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Bertha, whose birth occurred on the 22d of November, 1894, and who is attending school.
The family are all members of the Reformed German Evangelical church, and Mr. Luthy has attained high rank in the Masonic fraternity and is affiliated with the Schiller Consistory and the Shrine. He is also a member of the Swiss society. Mr. Luthy is a man of more than average ability and efficiency, as he has demonstrated during the period of his residence in the United States and is meeting with excellent success in the direction of his interests.
Emil Locher, the other member of the firm of Luthy & Locher was born in Switzerland on April 8, 1878, his birthplace being Appenzell. He is a son of Conrad Locher, a butcher by trade, who emigrated to the United States with his family in 1891, settling in Peoria.
As he was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his people to the United States in 1891, Emil Locher had already acquired his elementary educa- tion in the government schools of his native land. In order to better qualify him- self for a business career, after the family located in Peoria he attended Brown's Business College for a year. When he first entered the ranks of the wage earners he followed various occupations until 1896 when he found employment with P. Auer & Company. He continued to be identified with this company until 1903, when together with Mr. Carroll and Mr. Luthy he engaged in business for him- self. He has been very successful and is now recognized as one of the foremost young commission men in the city. In the development of his interests he has established an excellent reputation for trustworthiness and reliability and is held in high esteem by all who have had transactions with him.
In this city on the 21st of January, 1902, Mr. Locher was united in marriage to Miss Rose Luthy, a daughter of Gottfried Luthy and a sister of Fritz Luthy, Mr. Locher's partner, and to them have been born two children: Lilly, who is seven years of age; and Emil, Jr., who has passed the fifth anniversary of his birth.
Mr. Locher is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Mohammed Shrine. He also belongs to the Swiss Society, the Peoria Commercial and the Implement Dealers' clubs. He is a man of sterling worth and integrity and is highly regarded in business circles among whose members he numbers many friends.
EGBERT N. BURT.
Egbert N. Burt, treasurer of the Edward A. Pratt Andit Company, has been active in the affairs of that concern since its organization in 1909 and has held his present position since September 1, 1910, when the business was incorporated. He was born at Ogdensburg, New York, June 3, 1854, a son of Franklin N. and Olivia A. (Swan) Burt. The family is of English origin but has been in America since the eighteenth century. Henry Burt, the first representative of the name in this country, was a member of the English parliament and founded the family in the United States in colonial times. Dean Burt, the grandfather of our sub- ject, served in the American army in the Revolutionary war. Franklin N. Burt, the father, was a tanner in Ogdensburg, New York, in which city he owned a large manufacturing plant. He also engaged for a number of years in the wool- pulling business and died in 1898, at the age of eighty-three years, his wife sur- viving him for several months.
Egbert N. Burt received his early education in the public schools of Ogdens- burg and was graduated from the high school of that city. He afterward took a course in the State Normal School at Potsdam, New York, finishing his educa- tion at the age of eighteen years. Afterward he came to Chicago and became
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actively interested in the hardware business but subsequently gave his time and at- tention to his duties as office manager of the American Audit Company. He held this position for seven years but previous to that time had been connected with several other companies of the same nature. This gave him practical experience in auditing and accounting and he gained a reputation for expert workmanship. He had a natural talent for systematizing and organizing and for detailed work of all kinds. His reputation along this line was so high that when Mr. Pratt in 1909 left Chicago to establish a branch of the auditing business in Peoria, Illi- nois, Mr. Burt became one of the organizers of this company and has been con- nected with it since that time. The business was incorporated under the firm name of the Edward A. Pratt Audit Company on September 1, 1910, and Egbert N. Burt was elected to the position of treasurer. The business is at the present time one of the largest of its kind in Peoria. It does the accounting and auditing for most of the industrial concerns of the city and makes a specialty of new sys- tems for office management. In all of this work Mr. Burt has been an active and prominent factor and his expert knowledge, systematic mind and capacity for detailed work have been valuable assets in the upbuilding of a great business institution.
On August 2, 1875, Mr. Burt was united in marriage, at Ogdensburg, New York, to Miss Annie M. Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Smith, the former being general passenger agent for the Northern Transportation Com- pany. Mrs. Burt's parents are both deceased and are buried in the Protestant cemetery at Ogdensburg, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Burt became the parents of four children : George S., a stenographer; Charles B., auditor for the Morgan Laundry Company : Alice O., the wife of Paul McCaslin, general insurance agent with offices at 4 Dearborn building, Chicago, where he also manages the affairs for the Continental Casualty Company; and Franklin E., a pupil in the Peoria high school. The family reside at 504 Hamilton street, Peoria, and have many friends in this city.
Mr. Burt gives his allegiance to the republican party but does not take an active part in local political affairs. His fraternal affiliations are confined to the Masonic order in which he has attained the rank of the chapter. He holds a posi- tion of responsibility in a large and rapidly growing business concern and his ability, resource and expert knowledge are dominating influences in the growth and upbuilding of the corporation with which he is identified.
EDWARD B. HALE.
Edward B. Hale, manager of The Eagle Mining Company, has been identified with the business interests of Peoria for more than twenty years. He was born at Athens, Illinois, on the 4th of July, 1855, and is a son of Alexander and Elvira (Lemmon) Hale. In the paternal line he is of German extraction, his grand- father, John Hale, having been born in Freiburg, Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1818, first locating in Ohio. From there he later removed to Illinois, and for many years the family resided in Athens, where Alexander Hale, the father, engaged in the lumber and mercantile business. He was living retired at the time of his death, which occurred in 1904, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. He is buried in the cemetery at Athens, and the mother, who is still living, continues to make her home in the latter city.
The preliminary education of Edward B. Hale was acquired in the public schools of his native town. After leaving high school he pursued a course in the State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, preparatory to teaching. He first en- gaged in this profession in 1876, but concluding that a business career offered better opportunities and greater advantages, he gave up his profession at the
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expiration of six years. He subsequently took a course in the Bryant & Strat- ton Business College, after which he accepted the position of teller and book- keeper at the Bank of Athens. In 1885, he severed his connection with this institution and became bookkeeper and general manager of the Athens Coal Company, which was controlled by practically the same company. On the Ist of August, 1888, he resigned the latter position and on the fourth day of the same month he came to' Peoria as an employe of the J. M. Walter Coal Com- pany. On August 4, 1889, he entered the employ of Watkins & Company, an enterprise which subsequently became the property of H. W. Lynch. Mr. Hale was retained in the same capacity after the change of ownership and has ever since been identified with the company. In addition to his duties in this con- nection he is general manager of The Warsaw Coal Company, of Edwards, Illinois; and is secretary of the Rockwell Ice & Fuel Company at Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. He also is manager of his extensive agricultural interests.
At Springfield, Illinois, on the 19th of February, 1885, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Myrta E. Tilton, a daughter of William and Augusta Tilton. The father was one of the pioneer merchants of that city. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hale, as follows: John T., superintendent of the electrical department of the Kenosha Gas & Electrical Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin ; S. Bennita and Augusta M., both of whom have graduated from the Jocal high school; and Herbert S. and Harriet I., who are still attending school. The family live at 409 Ravine avenue, where they own a very pleasant residence which was erected in 1893.
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