USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 60
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Dr. Leonidas B. Martin was a lad of six years when brought by his parents to Illinois, the family settling first at Fairview, Fulton county, in 1851. He at- tended the local schools there until December, 1861, when a removal was made to Peoria. He then continued his education in the high school of this city and in 1864 he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he prepared himself for his profession, being graduated from that institution. On returning to this city he entered his father's office, which was then located at what is now 305 Main street. Dr. L. B. Martin became associated with his father in practice and after the latter's death continued in the old location. The office has been remodeled and additions have been made but Dr. Martin still maintains it in the same place in which he entered it as a student under his father, nearly fifty years ago. This record is unparalleled in the medical history of Peoria. It is said that for a quarter of a century he did the work of five ordinary physicians, being the busiest member of the profession in Peoria. He is now practically retired, only attending to such cases in which his services are insisted upon. While he always remained as a general practitioner he did much obstetrical work, and his skill and ability in that connection were marked. He has served for two years as examiner for the pension board and all through his life he has kept in close touch with the advancement made by the profession-an advance- ment that has continually revolutionized the methods of practice. Progress has been his watchword and while he has never hastily discarded old and time-tried methods the value of which has been proven, he has always been ready to take up new ideas which his judgment has sanctioned as of value in checking the ravages of disease.
Dr. Martin was united in marriage, in 1868, to Miss Mary Hughes, of Peoria. and unto them have been born eight children, of whom seven are living. Their eldest son, Leonidas B., died of appendicitis in February, 1911. The others are : Hughes ; Maud, the wife of Otho Wakefield, of Chicago; Mabel, the wife of Dr. L. S. Brown, of Hillsboro, Illinois: Ethel; James W .; Harry ; and Bruce. Dr. and Mrs. Martin reside at No. 610 Morton street. Their acquaintance not only largely covers the population of Peoria but of the county as well. The hospi- tality of many homes is freely accorded them and their genuine personal worth has gained for them the warm and enduring regard and friendship of all. The life of Dr. Martin has been a serviceable one. He has been actuated in his prac- tice by broad humanitarian principles as well as by a legitimate desire to attain success and his tenderness, sympathy and ready understanding, as well as his knowledge of remedial agencies and methods of treatment, have been factors in gaining for him his high and well merited reputation as a practitioner.
JOHN M. JACK.
John M. Jack is superintendent of The Barrett Manufacturing Company of Peoria, the duties of which position he has been discharging most creditably for the past three years. He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on the 28th of December, 1882, and is a son of the late Archibald and Mary ( Wallace)
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Jack. On the paternal side he is of Scotch ancestry, his father having been born and reared in Scotland, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1870. The father was a paper maker by trade and followed that occupation first in New England and later in Lockport, New York, where he passed away in 1909, at the age of sixty years. He was buried in the Glenwood cemetery of that city, while the mother is buried in Holyoke, where she died in 1885, having attained the age of forty years.
John M. Jack, who was only a child of three years when his mother passed away, was reared in Lockport, New York, in whose graded and high schools he obtained a good, practical education. At the age of fifteen years he laid aside his text-books and entered the paper factory of his uncle, John Jack. He was employed by this concern for almost thirteen years and during that period he worked himself up through the various departments from a minor position to that of assistant superintendent. Thus he acquired a thorough knowledge of the various processes incident to the manufacture of paper and increased the value of his services to the firm by placing at their command his inherent powers of organization and executive ability. He resigned his position in 1909 and in May of that year removed to Peoria, to become superintendent of the plant of The Barrett Manufacturing Company, located at the foot of Clark street. He is ambitious and diligent and applies himself intelligently to anything he under- takes, striving to master every detail. In his present connection he manifests the same general efficiency and resourcefulness that characterized him in his previous position, and gives every assurance of developing into a business man of marked sagacity and capability.
At Lockport, New York, on the 4th of September, 1901, Mr. Jack was united in marriage to Miss Sadie E. Ryan, a daughter of William Ryan, a retired lum- berman of that city, and to them have been born three children, Thelma C., Janet E., and Phyllis, who is seven months old. The two older children are at- tending school. The family reside at 907 Jackson street, and both Mr. and Mrs. Jack have made many friends during the period of their residence here.
Fraternally Mr. Jack is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a republican and has always taken an active interest in all public affairs and local political matters and was elected police commissioner of Lockport at the age of twenty-seven. Here as in his business connections he evidenced fore- sight and clear judgment making a high mark as a practical man of well defined ideas. Mr. Jack has made a favorable impression on all with whom he has come in contact, and his friends prophesy for him a successful future.
F. B. BRADLEY & SON.
F. B. Bradley & Son is a firmn name well known in the business circles of Peoria. It stands as a synonym for all that is up-to-date, fashionable, pro- gressive and honest in the line of merchant tailor and is the business title of such an establishment at 124 South Jefferson street. The partners in the under- taking are Frank B. Bradley and his son Richard, who have brought to bear in the conduct of their interests, broad intelligence, unfaltering activity and com- mendable ambition, holding to high standards of style and workmanship. Their patronage has steadily grown, the business developing with notable rapidity within the last few years.
Frank B. Bradley began business in Peoria in 1869 as a merchant tailor and from the outset his patronage steadily increased until the store became recog- nized as the foremost in its line in the city. He was sole proprietor until 1902 when he was joined by his son Richard B. Bradley, in a partnership relation under the firm name of F. B. Bradley & Son.
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RICHARD B. BRADLEY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LINCX AND TILDEN FO INCATIONS.
5.43
11ISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Frank B. Bradley was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1837, and was, therefore, a young man of about thirty-two years when he crossed the At- lantic. In 1869 he came to Peoria and from that time to the present he lias been known in the business circles of the city, his constantly extending trade bringing him an ever widening acquaintance. He possesses the native wit of his race and his ready repartee make him in great demand at banquets and on public occasions. His son, Richard Bradley, was born in Peoria, in 1879, and was twenty-three years of age when he purchased a half interest in his father's business. Since then he has been a leading spirit in the enterprise, always alert and energetic in his efforts to acquaint himself with the newest styles and methods. His business dealings are thoroughly reliable and he is spoken of throughout the city in terms of highest regard in commercial circles. It has been said that there is no more popular or highly esteemed resident of Peoria than Richard Bradley, who is known to his hundreds of friends as "Dick," his qualities of geniality, wit and unfailing good humor having gained him the esteem and warm friendship of his fellow townsmen. He is well known in the amateur musical circles of the city and possessing an excellent voice is welcome wherever music holds sway.
Richard Bradley was married in 1911 to Miss Georgia Ilarris of Bushnell. Illinois. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Creve Coeur Club, while his interest in Peoria and her welfare is evidenced in his membership in the Peoria Association of Commerce. Both father and son have a wide acquaintance and a circle of friends that is almost coextensive. The long experience and sound business judgment of the senior partner are ably supplemented by the laudable ambi- tion, energy and enterprise of the young man until the firm name of F. B. Bradley & Son stands for all those qualities which are indispensable factors in the attainment of commercial success at the present day.
DENISON H. BALDWIN, D. D. S.
Dr. Denison 11. Baldwin, who has been actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in Peoria for the past ten years, was born at Tazewell Court House, Virginia, on the 5th of November, 1870. In the acquirement of his education he attended a private school until he was fifteen years of age when he entered Emory and Henry College at Emory, Virginia. He continued his studies there for three years, at the expiration of which time he decided to adopt dentistry for his life vocation and he accordingly matriculated in the University of Maryland, at Balti- more. Ile spent two years in pursuing his professional course, being awarded the degree of D. D. S. with the class of 1891. In 1894, Dr. Baldwin removed to Illinois, locating in Mount Carroll, where he most successfully engaged in prac- tice for eight years. From there he came to Peoria in 1902, establishing an office in suite 306. Masonic Temple, where he has since been located. He has a splendidly equipped office and as he is a practitioner of unusual skill and ef- ficiency has succeeded in building up an excellent practice. During the period of his connection with the profession in Peoria, Dr. Baldwin has won especial recognition through his proficiency, which has brought him much more than a local reputation. He is a progressive man, and is constantly striving to improve and advance in the profession, and for this reason he has on two occasions taken post-graduate courses in Chicago. A pleasing personality, a highly skilled and dexterous hand and unusual inherent ability, combined with a thorough preparation and an insatiable desire for further knowledge have been the dominant factors in the success that has attended the efforts of Dr. Baldwin.
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On the 9th of January, 1895, at Mount Carroll, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Baldwin and Miss Olive Holmes, and to them have been born two children: Kenneth, who is eleven years of age; and Mark, who is six. The family residence is located at 323 Moss avenue.
Fraternally Dr. Baldwin has attained high rank in the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine, and he is also affiliated with the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers, while his connection with organizations of a purely social nature is confined to his membership in the Creve Coeur Club. In politics he is a re- publican and he maintains relations with the other members of his profession through his connection with the Peoria County Dental Society, the Illinois State Dental Society and the American Dental Association. That the quality and standard of Dr. Baldwin's work is exceptionally high is manifested by the fact that he has on several occasions presided at clinics given for the benefit of his fellow practitioners at the meetings of both the state and national associations. He has met with most gratifying success since locating in Peoria and in addition to his fine private practice is a member of the dental staff at the Peoria State Hospital at Bartonville. Dr. Baldwin is held in high esteem here both profes- sionally and socially and has a large circle of friends, whose loyalty and regard he has won through his many excellent personal qualities.
HON. JULIUS S. STARR.
Hon. Julius S. Starr first came into prominence in Peoria as a member of the bar and for twenty-five years continued in law practice here. The ability which he displayed in that connection and his qualities of progressive citizen- ship recommended him for legislative honors. His birth occurred in Fallsburg, New York, November 3, 1833. His forefathers came to Massachusetts before King Philip's war and one of the officers who captured the renowned Indian chief was a Captain Starr, from whom the family in the present generation trace their descent. His parents were Rev. Julius Judson and Eliza (Smith) Starr, the former a minister of the Methodist church. The family moved from Sul- livan county, New York, to Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, in 1834, and there the father passed away in 1837. His widow remarried in 1842, becoming the wife of David Potter, of Middletown. They remained residents of that city until 1849, when they came to Peoria. Mrs. Potter, who was born in 1807, passed away in 1897, at the very advanced age of ninety years.
Julius S. Starr was less than a year old at the time of the removal of the family to Ohio and in the country schools near Middletown he pursued his education. He was reared to farm life and followed agricultural pursuits until Marclı, 1860, when he came to Peoria and began reading law with Colonel Davidson and Judge Williamson, continuing his studies until admitted to the bar by the supreme court, May 7, 1862. He then practiced law in Peoria for twenty-five years and was city attorney in 1872 and 1873. He was admitted to practice in the United states courts and was accorded a liberal clientage that connected him with much important litigation. In 1888, however, he withdrew from professional connections to enter the industrial field as a manufacturer of agricultural implements under the name of Selby, Starr & Company. He was general manager of the business for a long period and finally was elected to the presidency of the company. It is the generally accepted opinion that a pro- fessional man does not make a good business man but Mr. Starr has proved an exception to the rule, for since entering manufacturing circles he has made continuous progress and has been at the head of one of the important productive industries of the city.
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Mr. Starr has held various public offices. Aside from serving as city at- torney he was a member of the legislature from 1870 to 1874, his reelection being the public indorsement of his first term's service. In 1878 he was nominated for congress but was defeated by a combination of democrats and greenbacks at the time when Senator James G. Blaine was defeated for president. He was appointed by President Harrison collector of internal revenue for the Peoria district and held the office for four years and eleven months or until a successor was appointed. On the 26th of January, 1906, President Roosevelt appointed him surveyor of customs and he was reappointed by President Taft in December, 1911, for another term of four years. Mr. Starr was an ardent admirer and supporter of President Lincoln. He attended the first republican convention ever held in Peoria county and in fact aided in organizing the republican party in this county, and was also present at the national convention that nominated Lincoln in 1860. He was a delegate to the national convention when President Harrison was nominated and has ever been an earnest worker in political cam- paigns.
On the 18th of September. 1853, Mr. Starr was married to Miss Susan Comstock, who passed away in 1887. In 1889 he married Evelyn Burt. His children are: Judson Starr, who married Dollie Schnebly ; Mrs. M. E. Pinckney, the wife of H. K. Pinckney, president of the Peoria & Pekin Union Railroad; Emma, the wife of Charles Robison, of this city; and George S., who passed away about 1907. Julius S. Starr is a member of the Christian Science church and in war times held membership with the Union League. His has been an active, useful and honorable life crowned not only by success but by the good- will, confidence and high regard of his fellowmen, who have at all times found him trustworthy, laboring for the interests of the community, placing patriotism before partisanship and never sacrificing loyalty in citizenship to personal ends.
JOIIN RICHARD LOFGREN.
John Richard Lofgren, who occupies the position of secretary of the Peoria Board of Trade, has been identified with business enterprises in this city since 1886, and has built up for himself in the course of that time a reputation for strict integrity and reliable commercial methods in all lines of business activities. He was born in Peoria, August 17, 1871, a son of John E. and Augusta J. Lofgren. His father was a coppersmith and was a general gas and steam fitter for about fifteen years. He died in March, 1894, at the age of fifty-one years and is buried in Springdale cemetery. He is survived by his wife who makes her home in Peoria. Both parents were born in Upsala, Sweden, and came to this country at an early date.
John R. Lofgren received his education in the public schools of Peoria which he left at the age of fifteen, to make his own way in the world as an elevator operator in the building in which he has offices today. He ran the elevator in the Board of Trade building until that structure burned in January, 1888. When it was rebuilt he obtained a position as clerk in the office of the secretary and held that position through the administrations of S. Wilkinson, A. H. Rugg and K. C. Grier. Upon the latter's resignation, Mr. Lofgren's diplo- macy and tact and his unquestioned ability in his chosen position led to his elec- tion in January. 1907, to the position of secretary, in which capacity he still serves. The Peoria Chamber of Commerce operates as a stock company and John Lofgren beside being its secretary is also on its board of directors.
Politically Mr. Lofgren is a consistent republican and a firm believer in the principles and policies for which that party stands. He takes an intelligent interest in local affairs but has never sought public office. He is a blue lodge
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Mason, prominent in the Knights of Pythias and holds membership in the Knights of Khorassan. In the Peoria Social Athletic Club he finds that rest and recreation necessary to fit him for his daily task. His rise in life has been rapid and his success along his chosen line of activity has been remarkable. The quality of broad intelligence and liberal judgment and his faithfulness in the performance of his duties have been the dominant factors in his progress. He is still in the prime of life, active, able and well qualified for his position. He has been successful in the past and can look forward to still greater achieve -. ments and prosperity during the coming years.
J. H. BACON, M. D.
Dr. J. H. Bacon, who has been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in Peoria for the past six years, was born in Bureau county, this state, in 1877. He is a son of G. H. and Elizabeth ( Phelps) Bacon, the father one of the prosperous and highly successful agriculturists of Bureau county. Both parents are of English extraction and belong to old colonial families, the mother's ancestors having come to America on the Mayflower. The father is a direct descendant of Daniel Bacon, who was a captain in the colonial army during the Revolution and died on the English prison ship "Jersey." His son, Ely Bacon, was a captain of a company of New York Infantry during the War of 1812, and two members of the family, R. W. and C. Phelps, participated in the Rebellion. G. H. Bacon was one of the early pioneers who fought against the Indians, having spent ten years in the west.
Dr. Bacon was reared on the farm where he was born and acquired his pre- liminary education in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. He sub- sequently enrolled in Knox College, where he continued his studies until awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1900. Having decided to become a physi- cian, he then matriculated in the medical department of Johns Hopkins Univer- sity at Baltimore, receiving his degree with the class of 1904. In order to better qualify himself for the practical duties of his profession he took a position as resident physician in the Lakeside Hospital immediately following his gradua- tion, remaining there until July, 1905. Feeling that he was fully competent to undertake the responsibilities of a private practice he came to Peoria and estab- lished an office at 237 Woolner building, where he has ever since been located. During the period of his residence here he has had ample opportunity to prove his efficiency and is numbered among the able representatives of the medical fraternity of the city. His preparation has been most thorough and to this he brings a well trained mind, fine intelligence and natural aptitude that well qualify him for the arduous and exacting duties of his profession. He has built up an extensive practice and numbers among his patients representatives of many of the leading families of the city. Dr. Bacon resides at 202 Chambers avenue, where he erected a very pleasant modern residence in 1910.
He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic order being a thirty-second degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and he also belongs to the Shrine. He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and Association of Commerce, and has been president of the Men's Sunday Evening Club. He takes an active and helpful interest in all things pertaining to the betterment of the health and sanitary conditions of the city and is vice president of the Pure Milk Dispensary and visiting physi- cian to the Tuberculosis Dispensary, located at 310 Chestnut street. He main- tains relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of his member- ship in the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical, the Peoria County and City Medical Societies, having been secretary of the latter organiza- tion. He serves as chairman of the Medical Relief Committee of the Peoria
DR. J. II. BACON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION !!.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Society for Prevention of Tuberculosis. He has been surgeon for the Peoria Street Car Company and was formerly city physician. Dr. Bacon is ambitious and progressive and keeps in touch with the development of his profession through the various medical and scientific journals, and is not so conservative or satisfied with present conditions and methods as not to be willing to adopt the newer theories when assured of their efficacy.
ELMER E. NYSTROM, M. D.
Dr. Elmer E. Nystrom, who on the 14th of December, 1911, was called to the position of county physician of Peoria county, is also engaged in attending to a large private and hospital practice, having attained a position in professional circles that is very creditable for one of his years. He was born in Peoria, July 29, 1884, and is a son of Nelson A. and Sarah (Carlson) Nystrom. The name indicates the Swedish ancestry. The great-grandfather, Nels Nystrom, was a farmer and later became a marine in the Swedish navy, when, in accordance with the custom of the country, he chose a surname on entering the government service, taking that of Nystrom. He died in 1848. The grandparents of Dr. Nystrom were Erland and Christina Nystrom and the former, who was born in Oscarshamn, Sweden, in 1812, died in 1878. Nelson A. Nystrom, the Doctor's father, was born in Oscarshamn, April 11, 1842, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. Soon afterward he began taking contracts for building stone bridges on the public highways of his native country and in 1869 came to America, landing at Quebec. From that point he made his way to Galesburg, Illinois, where he took up his abode on the 9th of August. For nearly a year he was employed on a construction train of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Ile afterward spent two winters in a blacksmith shop of an agricultural implement factory at Monmouth, Illinois, and in the summer months devoted his attention to farm work. He also spent six months at blacksmithing for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Galesburg and in 1872 he entered the employ of the Avery Planter Company there. He was afterward for five years connected with the factory of George Brown in Gales- burg and in 1878 he secured a position with the Avery Manufacturing Company of Galesburg, the predecessor of the great Avery Company of Peoria, with which he has since been connected. Ile is the oldest employe in their service and when he entered their employ was their only blacksmith. When the plant was removed to Peoria he was made foreman of the blacksmithing department and he is now at the head of the wheel department. Honest industry and thrift have kept him continuously in the employ of this company and he enjoys the con- fidence and regard of those whom he represents in an unusual degree.
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