USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 59
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Mr. Hale is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and in his political views he is a stanch republican. He is a very capable man in his line, possessing executive ability of a high order, a well trained mind and a retentive memory, which qualities enable him to summon to his command at any and all times a vast amount of data relative to the various interests that are in his charge.
JACOB TER VEEN.
Jacob ter Veen, manager of The Illinois Warehouse Company, located at Har- rison and South Water streets, has been a resident of Peoria since March, 1908. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in West Rhauderfehn, in the province of Hanover on March 9, 1869, and is a son of C. H. and Engeline ter Veen. The parents, both of whom are now deceased, passed their entire lives in Germany, where the father was a sea captain, and are buried in the Lutheran cemetery at West Rhauderfehn.
The education of Jacob ter Veen was pursued in the schools of his native land until he was a lad of twelve years, when he laid aside his text-books and went to sea with his father. He was put through the usual training, finishing as an able seaman at the expiration of his period of service. He remained at sea until he was twenty-four years of age, and during that period he visited every port in Africa from Morocco to Capetown, and his ship once cast anchor at the island of St. Helena. At the age of about twenty years, in January, 1889, he entered the German navy, and soon after receiving his discharge in September, 1891, he went to England and engaged in the merchant marine service for two years. At the expiration of that time he decided to come to the new world. So early in 1894 he took passage for the United States, landing in New York city. From there he came direct to Pekin, Illinois, and on March 9, of that year, obtained employment with the Acme Harvester Company. He began in the capacity of laborer, but early manifested such general efficiency that his employ- ers considered him for a more responsible position and promoted him from
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time to time until he became general foreman. He continued in their service until the 19th of March, 1908, when he resigned his place to become manager of The Illinois Warehouse Company of this city. Although he has only been a resident of Peoria for four years, Mr. ter Veen has made a very favorable impression in local business and commercial circles and is highly regarded by all who have transactions with him.
At Pekin, Illinois, on the 7th of October, 1896, Jacob ter Veen was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Beckmann, a daughter of Carl and Caroline Beck- inann, the former a retired farmer of Green Valley, this state. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. ter Veen, as follows: Carl Cord, who is a student in the high school; Caroline and Henry L., who are attending the Lincoln school ; and Wilhelm J., who was born December 16, 1907. The family reside at 921 Third avenue.
Mr. ter Veen was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church. His fraternal relations are those of the Masonic order in which he holds membership in the chapter. Ever since granted the right of franchise he has given his political allegiance to the republican party, and while residing in Pekin served as city alder- man for four years. Mr. ter Veen is a man of many estimable qualities, not least of which is his loyalty to the land of his adoption, and while he strongly admires many of the institutions of the fatherland, he has never had any occa- sion to regret becoming a citizen of the United States, as he has prospered in his undertakings and holds an honored and respected position in the business circles of this city.
WILLIAM W. ROBINSON.
Death often calls from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, and such was the feeling which swept over the city of Peoria when William W. Rob- inson was called from this life. It was a spirit of duty and of self-sacrifice that brought him to the end, his life being practically given for the safety and benefit of others. Indeed, in his life record there was much of a heroic mold, and yet he made no claims for himself, living a quiet, unassuming life, feeling it to be his duty to use his talents and powers to the best possible advantage in the profession of journalism which he.chose as a life work. He was at different times connected with a number of the leading newspapers of the state, and at the time of his demise was city editor of the Star of Peoria.
Mr. Robinson was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, born in 1875, and in early youth accompanied his parents in their removal to Colorado where his mother died. The father afterward married a niece of Robert G. Ingersoll, who indeed proved a mother to the boy, and it was through her aid and encouragement that he entered Boulder University of that state for the pursuit of a college course which he completed with high honors. After leaving the university he turned his attention to mining which he followed at Cripple Creek. Later he lived the free, unrestricted life of a cowboy, and was thus engaged when the Spanish- American war broke out. He then enlisted as a cavalryman in the regular army and was sent to Cuba where he served through the entire conflict. When his military experience was over he came to Peoria and entered the employ of R. Herschel & Company. His ability, however, seemed manifest in literary lines and he entered the employ of Hull & Rennick at the time they purchased the Herald-Transcript. Subsequently he entered the field of newspaper publication in Chicago, becoming one of the editors of the Inter Ocean, and upon his return to Peoria he accepted the position of city editor of the Star, continuing in that connection until his demise. One of the local papers said of him editorially : "He was a prudent, careful financier, and was in a fair way to achieve a competence at the time of his death. His connection with the Crescent Theater has already
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been noticed. His literary ability was great. He was not only an industrious news gatherer, but his style was clear, he told an interesting story, and he wrote pure, classical English without effort and without affectation. Above and beyond all this, however, were the beauties of his private character. Everybody in the city was his friend. He was loyal to his profession, and he was manly, truthful, careful and considerate and absolutely reliable. No man was more popular than he among all classes of society, the high and the low. His leisure hours were passed in study in the quietude of his own home, and he had before him a long life of usefulness when he was thus cut down, almost without warning."
In 1907 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Gretchen Gerdes, a daughter of Alt and Katherine (Kastner) Gerdes. Her father was born in Germany, January 5, 1836, and the mother was a representative of an old Bourbon family. Mr. Gerdes became one of Peoria's prominent citizens, settling here in 1866, after which he engaged for many years in the grain commission business. He also served for four years as a member of the canal commission, and was president of the board. In 1897 he was again called to public office, being elected city treasurer of Peoria, but his death occurred two months later, on the 2d of July, 1897. He was a prominent factor in the welfare and develop- ment of the city, and his labors contributed much to the work of public progress. He was ever a man of action rather than of theory and never faltered until he had accomplished the purpose for which he set out. His daughter, Mrs. Rob- inson, has been a lifelong resident of Peoria and is widely known here. The death of Mr. Robinson occurred May 2, 1909, and was of a most tragic character. A few months before he had joined Vernon C. Seaver in equipping the Crescent Theater on Main street. From the first the enterprise proved a financial success. On the night of his demise a film in the picture machine took fire and the house soon filled with smoke. Mr. Robinson, cool and calm through all the excite- ment, assisted the crowd to get out and was himself the last one to leave, feeling highly gratified that no one was injured. Suddenly, Mr. Robinson bethought himself of the operator and in the belief that the same was still in the burning building he again crawled in, feeling his way around in the smoke and flames, but did not find him for whom he was looking, as the man had escaped in time. It was there that he inhaled the deathly fumes caused by the burning films which resulted in the congestion that within a few hours caused his death.
His personal popularity, his high business standard, his superior literary ability and his devotion to friends and kindred were all qualities that gave him a most prominent and enviable place. Years may pass but he will never be for- gotten by those who were his associates, for his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.
CHARLES M. FIFER.
Charles M. Fifer of the firm of Charles M. Fifer & Company, has been engaged in the grain and stock business at the Union Stock Yards, Peoria, for over thirty years. He was born at Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, on the 9th of May, 1856, and is a son of the late Peter Fifer. The father was a well known stock and grain man of Washington, where he was engaged in business until 1870, when he removed to Peoria, continuing to be identified with the same line of activity until his death in 1886.
The first fourteen years in the life of Charles M. Fifer were passed in his native town, in the public schools of which he pursued his education. He ter- minated his school days in 1870 when the family removed to Peoria and began his business career as a grain and stockman. His training was received under his father's supervision, with whom he was associated until the latter's death,
CHARLES M. FIFER
THE NEW Y PUBLIC LIBRARY
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since which time he has continued operations alone under the firm name of Charles M. Fifer & Company. In the operation of his business he has met with more than a moderate measure of success and is one of the capable and well known commission men of this city.
Washington, Illinois, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Fifer on the 20th of May, 1880. to Miss Ella Baylor, a daughter of John Baylor, a well known blacksmith of that town. Mr. Fifer is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and he votes the republican ticket. He is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Peoria, the interests of which he enthusiastically champions on every possible occasion. In matters of citizenship he is intensely loyal and public- spirited and gives his unqualified indorsement and cooperation to every move- ment inaugurated that will advance the municipality or promote the welfare of the community along the various lines of human activity.
HERBERT T. CHERRY.
Herbert T. Cherry, vice president of The J. G. Cherry Company and manager of the local factory, situated at North Water and Morton streets, has been iden- tified with the manufacturing interests of Peoria for the past eleven years. He was born in Cedar Rapids, lowa, on the 20th of November, 1878, and is a son of J. G. and Mary Ann ( Miles) Cherry. The parents were born, reared and married in England, whence they emigrated to America in 1866. They subse- quently located in Cedar Rapids, lowa, and there in 1880 the father established what is known as factory No. I of The J. G. Cherry Company. This plant, which is one of the flourishing industries of Cedar Rapids and is used exclusively for the manufacture of creamery and dairy supplies, was the only factory owned by the company at the time of their incorporation in 1898. The father passed away in 1899, at the age of sixty-eight years, and was buried in Linwood ceme- tery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The mother is still living, however, and continued to make her home in the latter city. Mr. Cherry was an active member of the Universalist church of Cedar Rapids and for many years held the office of trus- tee in this organization.
Herbert T. Cherry was reared in the city of his birth and there he was edu- cated, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. Imme- diately after leaving school he took a position as manager of the commissary de- partment of a telephone company that was putting toll lines through Nebraska. He retained this position for about six months, subsequently entering the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company as stenographer. He next became a clerk with the R. G. Dun Commercial Agency, resigning from their service about a year later to take the management of the egg case depart- ment of the Cedar Rapids factory of The J. G. Cherry Company. He retained that position until he came to Peoria in 1901 to develop the local plant, which is engaged in the manufacture of egg cases exclusively. This factory was estab- lished by Herbert T. Cherry and his brother, W. L., and has proven to be a most lucrative undertaking. In 1905 a change was made, when they occupied the build- ing in which their plant is now housed, which was formerly used for a grain house but was remodeled and equipped and has proven to be well adapted to their purposes. Under the capable direction of Mr. Cherry the business of this factory has increased in a most gratifying manner. They are now occupying twenty thousand feet of floor space, while it requires the services of forty people to fill their orders.
At Cedar Rapids, on the 21st of June, 1905. Mr. Cherry was married to Miss Louise Henderson, a daughter of John B. and Helen (Emery) Henderson, pio- neer residents of that city, where for many years the father held the position of . Vol. II-25
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secretary of the Farmers Insurance Company. They have a very attractive and pleasant residence at 306 North street, that Mr. Cherry erected in the year they were married.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cherry are members of the Episcopal church. His social affiliations are with the Creve Coeur, Illinois Valley Yacht and Country Clubs. He gives his political indorsement to the men and measures of the democratic party, but is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word. The success that has attended Mr. Cherry in his business career must be attributed very largely to his systematic methods and well defined purpose toward the achieve- ment of which he concentrates every effort, as is manifested in all of his transactions.
CHARLES C. DUTCH.
Charles C. Dutch has been an attorney at law in Peoria since 1900, engaged in general practice. His offices are at No. 502 German Fire Insurance building. He came to Peoria in the year mentioned from Beardstown, Illinois, where he was born August 3, 1876, his parents being John and Alice Dutch. His father, although educated as a lawyer, turned to the mercantile business early in his career and became one of the pioneer merchants of Beardstown. In addition to this pursuit he operated a line of steamboats, barges and grain elevators along the Illinois river. His death occurred in July, 1888, and that of the mother in February, 1892, both being buried in the Oak Grove cemetery at Beardstown.
The early education of Charles C. Dutch was acquired in the town of his nativity, there graduating from the high school in 1895. He then entered the literary department of the University of Illinois and after leaving that institu- tion went to the University of Michigan, where he took a law course and was graduated with the class of 1900, with the degree of LL.B. After his gradua- tion he immediately began the practice of his profession in Peoria where he has since remained, and has been uniformly successful as an attorney. He is pro- gressive in his desire to keep abreast of the times and is an active member of the Peoria Bar Association.
Mr. Dutch was married at Beardstown, Illinois, October 30, 1902, to Miss Mae E. Knight, a daughter of John and Augusta Knight. Her father, who was a successful farmer in his active career, is now living retired at Beardstown. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dutch, Charles K. Dutch. The political allegiance of Mr. Dutch is given to the republican party, and he takes an active interest in political matters although he never has been a politician in the often- implied sense of the word. His fraternal connection consists of membership in the blue lodge, while he finds recreation as a member of the Creve Coeur Club and the Peoria Country Club. The family reside at 237 Moss avenue, and the hospitality of the home is enjoyed by their many friends.
ALBERT EWALT.
Albert Ewalt, who is engaged in farming in Logan township, was born July 9, 1868, in East Peoria, Illinois. His parents were Elias and Anna (Saboren) Ewalt, both of whom were natives of Sweden and came to America in the early '50s, locating in East Peoria. In their family were two children of whom Albert of this review is the younger.
Albert Ewalt was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until 1889 when he began farming for himself in Rosefield township on a tract of one hundred acres which he rented for one year. In 1890 he removed to a farmi
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of one hundred and twenty-five acres in the same township and resided on this land for seven years. Subsequently, purchasing three lots in Ilanna City he took up his abode there and was engaged in coal mining for three years. He then rented one hundred and forty acres in Limestone township, and after two years went to Rosefield township where he resided for four years on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he removed to the Samuel McCluggage farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 9, of Logan township, where he now resides and also operates in addition one hundred and sixty acres which he rents from J. B. Miller. He engages quite extensively in raising corn, wheat, oats and hay and breeds hogs, horses and cattle.
On the 3d of November, 1889, Mr. Ewalt was united in marriage to Miss Loveday Pillman, who is a daughter of Richard and Mary (Quick) Pillman of Rosefield township. Mr. and Mrs. Ewalt have become the parents of four children : Morton E .. born January 21, 1891 ; A. B., born June 22, 1893 ; Walter, born September 11, 1895; and Thelma, born January 2, 1909. Mr. Ewalt is an enterprising farmer and a prosperous citizen. He is a man well liked and highly esteemed, and his efforts contribute substantially to the upbuilding and promotion of the interests of his community.
HON. DANIEL ROBINSON SHEEN.
Hon. Daniel Robinson Sheen, the senior partner of the law firm of Sheen & Galbraith, 403-405 German Fire Insurance building, in Peoria, is an attorney of much ability and a man of extended acquaintance throughout Peoria county and the state of Illinois. He was born in this county, November 29, 1852, a son of Peter and Melissa (Robinson) Sheen. The father, who was one of the pioneers of Peoria county and who assisted in building Jubilee College, was a well known farmer and stock-raiser, enjoying an excellent reputation in the community. He moved to Woodford county in 1864 and his death occurred in 1901 in Tazewell county, and that of his wife followed in 1904, both being buried in Springdale cemetery at Peoria.
Daniel R. Sheen received his early education at the district and normal schools, after which he attended business college. Early in his life he deter- mined upon giving his attention throughout life to the practice of law and ini- mediately after business college he began reading law with the law firm of Ingersoll, Puterbaugh Brothers & McCune. He proved an apt student and in June, 1874, was admitted to the bar. He entered upon his professional practice by opening a law office but later formed a partnership with Thomas Black, which he continued for a time, after which he entered into professional relations with M. C. Quinn and these two partners remained together until in 1885. After the dissolution of that partnership he became associated with R. H. Lovett, a connection that endured until 1893, when he again began practicing alone, re- maining thus until he joined Frank T. Miller, a partnership which continued for seven years. At the end of that period the law firm of Sheen & David was formed, but Mr. David died on May 7, 1912, and Mr. Sheen then associated in practice with E. J. Galbraith.
Mr. Sheen was married in Peoria, on the 28th of June, 1876, to Miss Sarah A. Stiehl, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gottfried Stiehl, the father being a well known grocer of this city. Mr. Sheen is one of the strong temperance advo- cates of Peoria and his principles of total abstinence find expression in his political views, having been a stalwart member of the prohibition party since 1876. In 1908 he was the party's nominee for governor of Illinois. He was elected in 1904 to the forty-fourth general assembly of the state, where he served with distinction. He is a member of the Peoria and Illinois Bar Associations
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wherein his influence is widely felt, taking an active interest in these organiza- tions. He is a member of the Good Templar lodge, a temperance organization, and he is one of its leading supporters. The family resides on Hamilton street and the home is noted for its hospitality to friends and neighbors. The profes- sional and political career of the Hon. Daniel R. Sheen is characterized by ability and fidelity to clients and principles. His integrity is never questioned and hav- ing been a lifelong resident of Peoria county he enjoys the acquaintance of an unusually large circle of friends, being made up of representatives of practically all the business, professional and social classes of the community. He has long been recognized as a successful attorney and has for many years enjoyed a lucrative practice.
THOMAS L. EIBECK.
Thomas L. Eibeck is the president of the Peoria Bus & Baggage Line, with offices at 709 South Washington street, and is one of the most prominent men in this particular line of activity in the city. He has held his present office since July, 1911, and has been identified with the baggage business since he was four- teen years old. He was born in Jubilee, Illinois, May 28, 1866, and is the son of Lawrence and Honora Eibeck. The family is of German origin and has been in this country for a number of years. Lawrence Eibeck came to Jubilee, Illi- nois, as an infant, and spent the early part of his life in that town. He was a member of Company K, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. He came to Peoria from Jubilee in 1873, and took part to some ex- tent in republican politics for a time and served as police officer under F. Hitch- cock.
Thomas Eibeck received his education in the public schools of Peoria, which he left at the age of fourteen to accept a position in the baggage department of the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway. At the end of eighteen years' service for this corporation he had attained the position of general baggage agent, and his suc- cess in this capacity earned him a gratifying reputation. In 1904, while he was still connected with the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, Mr. Eibeck bought from the Peoria Livery Company the bus and baggage line of which he is the present head, and reorganized it in 1907, at which time he was elected vice president and in 1911, president.
Mr. Eibeck was married in Peoria, on September 17, 1889, to Miss Lena Carroll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Carroll of Spring Lake, Illinois, the former a pioneer farmer of that section of the state. They are both deceased and are buried at Manito, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Eibeck have three children : Nora G., who is a graduate of the Peoria high school and a bookkeeper with the Burrough's Adding Machine Company; Mrytle H., a student at the Manual Training high school; and Reeda M., now in the grammar grades in Peoria. Mr. Eibeck's success in life has been remarkable, and is attributable entirely to his qualities of common sense and proper application to business.
LEONIDAS B. MARTIN, M. D.
Dr. Leonidas B. Martin is the oldest practicing physician in Peoria, having taken up the profession here in 1867. He is now living partially retired and yet many households in which he has been the loved family physician for many years are loath to have him discontinue his services. Forty-five years' connec- tion with the profession here has well established his position as a learned, capa-
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ble practitioner and his work throughout the entire period has been of an im- portant character.
Dr. Martin was born in Catawba, Clark county, Ohio, March 28, 1845, his parents being Dr. James W. and Mary M. (Gardner ) Martin. The father was also a practicing physician who followed the profession for twelve years before he came to Peoria, where he arrived in December, 1861. 'He continued active in his chosen line of work to the time of his death, which occurred November 5, 1885. He was visiting a sick child when he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and life was at once extinct.
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